Justin
At nine years old, I entered residential treatment at The Children’s Village. Over the years, I moved between foster homes and residential placements, facing many challenges. My cousin took me in for a few years, but when that didn’t work out, I was placed with a CV foster family in the Bronx. From there, I moved through several homes, each experience shaping my resilience and determination.
From 18 to 21 I had a really stable foster home. During that time, I focused on my future, determined to create a better life for myself. At 21, I reached a major milestone—I moved into my very own apartment. The journey wasn’t easy, but I stayed committed to my goals. I refused to let my past define me, and that dedication paid off.
I wanted to have my own space and be independent. I got a glimpse of where I wanted to live through a peer at CV. After visiting them, I knew it was where I wanted to be. With help from my CV WAY coach and CV college advisor, I gathered the necessary information and set up a meeting about housing options. My coach supported me during a Zoom call with building management, and the meeting went so well that I secured my new home. Moving into my own place felt natural. The staff even helped me move in, showing their genuine care beyond just doing a job.
Throughout my time in care, I had staff who truly supported me. They encouraged me to participate in programs, guided me when I needed direction, and helped me develop skills I didn’t know I had.
My advice to others in similar situations is to stand your ground and advocate for yourself. Life is like a train—I’m the conductor, and my team is the rest of the cars. If one car goes off track, it affects the whole journey. You have to make sure your train runs smoothly because no one else will advocate for you as strongly as you can.
Now, I’m focused on my next steps—returning to school and pursuing my dream of a career in music. I want to participate in the Garden of Dreams Talent Show and showcase my talents as a rapper. My journey has been tough, but resilience and self-advocacy have brought me this far, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.
Justin is part of our WAY Home program, which employs mentors, or “WAY coaches,” to support youth transitioning out of foster care to independent living. WAY Home participants work toward meeting their short- and long-term goals, while WAY coaches assist them in overcoming challenges and solving problems.