How did you initially become involved with the foster care system as a youth?
I was adopted when I was 15 due to being in an unstable home. There was a lot of alcohol. One day, my father decided that he didn’t have the time or the interest to be a father anymore. I was going from house to house pretty early on and living with my aunt and then getting into the foster care system. But I had good friends and several good families around me. God always put the right people in my path.
Did you get involved in trouble as a result of living in an unstable home?
I just wanted to be different when I was younger. I could have been a lot better if I had hands on day to day attention. I acted out in school and told jokes since things weren’t going great at home. I would act out and be the class clown. I balanced it through laughter and just hanging out.
How did you get involved with CASA?
Andre Wade from CASA contacted me. My manager brought it to my attention knowing some of my past. He felt like it fit. I would be one of the better voices because I’ve been in that situation. We all got together and really made sure it was a perfect fit. This program let’s kids know that they are not the only one’s. Sometime you go through a situation and you think that you are the only one. I’m here to have someone to show them that they can be successful. I have been without lights, food, water and shelter. We let them know that someone cares about what they are going through. Coming from the hood, I have a connection to what they are going through everyday.
What do you tell kids who are in the foster care system?
I … tell them that this is not the worst situation you can be in. There is a way out. There are people who love you. Make sure you focus on doing better. Your mental state is important to allow the ones who show love to be able to embrace you. Things will get better.
