My Thoughts

 I am 26 years old and I entered Children’s Services at the age of 15.
The last 11 years have been a wild ride in navigating adult life as a teenager and growing into the adult that I am today. 5 years ago, I would not have pictured myself participating in something as impactful as this website that the I Care A Lot team has created, I am so proud of our team and I am proud of myself for committing to this project.

When I joined YCAN to start this project I did not have faith in myself to stick it out, I was battling mental health issues, substance use issues and facing the fact that I was going to age out of the SAFA program due to the age cutback. I did not have hobbies or commitments, looking back, I see that I was really allowing life to simply pass me by. I have grown tremendously since joining and I have started enjoying life.

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Now, I am an artist and about to be a 2nd year college student, I give myself credit instead of skimming past my accomplishments. I allow myself to take breaks and I have learned to care for myself in times of severe distress. I have taken hold of past and my traumas, although they may shape part of who I am, I no longer allow them to define my personal being.