KPBS PUBLIC BROADCASTING (SAN DIEGO) -- Alaysia plans to major in Political Science at San Francisco State University, then she wants to go to law school.
“I think it was the fact that I was in more foster homes than I was group homes. So I saw what it was like to be in a family, so I learned things from each of those families,” Alaysia said. “Then on top of that, I think it was the fact that I had a CASA (court-appointed special advocate) at such a young age and a committed staff at such a young age that really helped me, because not a lot of CASAs stay that long and not a lot of staff want to be your mentor later on.”
Alaysia will continue to receive some benefits through the foster care system while she goes to school, including help paying for college through Voices For Children’s Learning to Succeed program.
At San Francisco State, another program called Guardian Scholars, will provide year-round housing, educational support and a connection to a social worker.