Foster Youth Development

UCF Student Testimonies

We have many successful students here at UCF that have come out of the foster care system or have lost their parents at an early age. Do to the support of care providers and their own perseverance; these students have reached their personal goal of attending college.

They are amazing people who are sensitive to the world around them. Many of these students will go on to live important and fulfilling lives. They have been empowered through their journey toward adulthood. This is also true of many foster youth who persevered and met their goals in employment through training, parental training, entering military service and/or overcoming substance abuse and going on to a variety of successful careers. We would like to reach out to foster youth and help them believe and visualize a future with many options and possibilities. How will you and others positively influence your journey to adulthood?

Here is the story and testimony of one such student currently attending as a sophomore here at the University of Central Florida.

Student Testimony College is yet another triumphant step in our life- a chance to prove our abilities to achieve goals. To make a long story short, I was an orphan by age twelve. Every family member I was close to, aside from my younger brother, had passed away. I then lived with an emotionally abusive family for many years. Despite the downfalls I faced, there was no excuse for failure. When it came time to make a decision for my future I knew I wanted to experience college. As a former foster child, I felt I had already learned so much about life that I didn’t need to continue my education. Now, as a college student, I realize there is still so much to learn. Every new experience teaches me something important. Without my involvement on campus and through internships, I would not gain the same skills. The trials we endure make us stronger. As foster youth, we have overcome obstacles that most people our age have never dreamed of. Fortunately, we are able to use the unique experiences we’ve encountered to set a positive example for those around us. By furthering our education, we will become better well-rounded individuals in the real world. University of Central Florida Junior