I’m 22, I’m a sophomore in college and I have a one year- old son. I wasn’t ready for the world at 14, when I ran away from my grandma.  She raised me and my two sisters because my mom has been a crack addict and my dad has been in prison since I was little.  Grandma sheltered us too much; she didn’t talk about sex or anything.  She was always nagging for no reason. I started running away because it was more comfortable than dealing with grandma.  I love her and appreciate what she did for me, but it wasn’t all what I needed.

I was a runaway from age 14 through age 16.  When I was a freshman, I wasn’t doing good stuff; skipping school, smoking weed…  I went to several group homes.  Then, I went to a very good foster home. My only foster home and I got my act together there. My foster mom was really good; one of the nicest people. Even if she was getting paid, I could feel she really cared. She was the first person who made me feel like she cared. So, the least thing I could do was staying out of trouble: I started going to school, got in the basketball team, and kept my grades up. When I got in trouble at school she’d take the time to talk. She wanted to get through to you and let you know that she was there to help you. I’m still in contact with her; I call her for advice when I need it. They love my baby.  I really loved my foster home, but I was missing home and I wanted to be with my friends and family, so I decided to live on my own, as part of the independent living program.

I didn’t prepare to age out of the system but I was happy to get out. I was sick about everything about foster care.  I went to 8 different high schools in total! I went back to my city for my senior year and had my own apartment. They helped me with rent and bills while I went to school and had a part-time job. I was a child in an adult’s place: I could come anytime, have any company, that wasn’t good at 17 ½. I know that now, but I had to learn that lesson. High school was really hard to finish because I was partying, lost my job, and started skipping school again.  My company was holding me back; using me. But when my school sent a letter saying that I might not graduate, that’s when it clicked, “this is my education”.  I was a good student and my teachers helped me with extra credit work.  So I got it together and I did walk.

After high school I hit rock bottom. I got evicted, no job, no money, no anything. I was sitting all day, doing nothing. Then I decided to pick myself up. I was just sick of staying with people, sick of being broke, I didn’t want end up like my mom or dad. That was a lot of motivation.  You have to take the initiative many times, you have to seek resources. I just kept going.  The first step I took was to learn to ride the bus.  I had to wake up at 6 to go to school. I didn’t let people stay with me. I had to choose my company well. I didn’t give up because I wanted a college degree.  Graduating from high school really helped me because I can go to college.  I understand now why it’s so important.  I actually did research on it and college graduates earn around $50000/yea; high school graduates earn $25000 to 30000/year.  College makes a difference.

I was like blank on what happened after high school. Nobody taught me how to fill out a college application.  I knew how to cash a check, but I didn’t know how to write one. I didn’t know that you were supposed to enroll quite before classes started. It was trial and error. My caseworker helped a lot; she sent me a list of colleges, apartment places, etc. Something positive about exiting was that they didn’t tell me “now you’re on your own”.  They actually behave as if they were your parents.   I kept in touch with them.

I enrolled in college but it didn’t work out. I went to another college but I got pregnant and dropped out. And finally I’m in a different college and it’s been pretty good.  The first thing I did in every college was seeing my advisor. You get lost if you try to enroll yourself. I told my advisors where I wanted to go and they told me what I needed to do.   I went back to school because I’ve always liked school.  School is something I’m good at.. I had to be active and look for opportunities for me. I got a Pell grant.

I’m working hard to graduate. I pass every class with an A or a B. This is what my life is about.  The most important things in my life are school and my child. I go to school, I work, I have a son to take care of and a household to maintain. It’s a lot going on. I go to school every day from 8:30 to 11:30 and I to work from 12 to 6 during weekdays and every other weekend. I barely play with my son but I know it’s worth it because I’m creating a future for him.  When I finish school, he’ll be like 3.  My son has a good dad. He watches him. When I found out I was pregnant, it was something I had to deal with and I did pretty well. I always kept a job, but I had to do something with guaranteed money: college.

I decided to work when I was in my foster home.  When I came back to my city, I worked at a fast food restaurant. But then I quit that job because they work you like a slave; I was making $6/hour. After that, it was hopping around from job to job. I had like 8 jobs! Everything was about paying the bills.  That really motivated me to go back to college.  I worked in fast food restaurants, sales, and as a receptionist. I’ve worked in telemarketing for over a year because they work around my schedule and I’m good at it: interacting with people, asking questions, and reading and writing. To find jobs send your resume everywhere. Use your strengths for your job.

I budget my money, one check is for bills and the other one for food. My boyfriend gets unemployment so that helps.  I don’t buy things for myself. It doesn’t really matter.  To pay my student loans I’ll get a good job.  I’m gonna be somebody, I’ll be successful. I’m proud of myself and my accomplishments. With my college degree, I’ll be able to buy the things I want: a house, a car…

We often get ourselves in the position we’re in. Yeah, but you’ve also gotta get yourself out of it too.  Don’t really expect help from anyone. Don’t wait for someone to tell you how to do it. Learn how to do it and do it. I had to keep pushing even in those days when I was sick of everything. You just have to keep going, if you stop it’s harder to keep going.