Our Youth
Forward Steps helps emancipating foster care youth find and follow their own, individual pathways to independence. We understand the road that brought them to us, but all of our focus is on their path ahead. We’d like to introduce you to some of our Forward Steps youth who have their own, unique stories to tell.
Meet Lindsey
- Age
- 18
- I dream of
- Opening my own screen printing and design shop
- My biggest challenge living on my own is
- Learning how to budget money
- My favorite part of Forward Steps’ program
- Independence when living on own, but as much support as I need, when I need it.
- Forward Steps has taught me
- How to pay bills and do a better job of budgeting
- For fun I
- Look for jobs and play inline hockey
Meet Lexie
- Age
- 22
- I dream of
- Being a nurse
- My biggest challenge living on my own is
- Balancing school, work and my personal life
- My favorite part of Forward Steps’ program
- Interaction and relationships with supporters
- Forward Steps has taught me
- That things take time. Not everyone goes at the same pace, but as long as you stay on track, on your path, anything is possible.
- For fun I
- Dance, volunteer and experiment with make up and beauty.
Meet Karisma
- Age
- 19
- I dream of
- Working in interior design, sociology/counseling or broadcasting
- My biggest challenge living on my own is
- Managing money and bills
- My favorite part of Forward Steps’ program
- The people, the stipend and help paying bills
- Forward Steps has taught me
- How to budget and save money
- For fun I
- dance and listen to music
Meet Sarah
- Age
- 20
- I dream of
- Working in forensic pathology
- My biggest challenge living on my own is
- Being by myself
- My favorite part of Forward Steps’ program
- Meeting new people and getting support from everyone.
- Forward Steps has taught me
- How to pay bills
- For fun I
- Play volleyball and go to the movies
Meet Cierra
- Age
- 19
- I dream of
- Being a nurse or a video game designer
- My biggest challenge living on my own is
- Staying motivated and earning enough to feel secure
- My favorite part of Forward Steps’ program
- Being able to kind of call the shots with my own apartment
- Forward Steps has taught me
- About being grown up
- For fun I
- Sketch and play online games