Turning pain into purpose and purpose into passion has been one of my greatest accomplishments. I reclaimed ownership of my life by becoming the sole author of my future. Though the child welfare system is a part of my story, it is not the story.
I am a proud 22-year-old advocate with lived expertise in New Jersey’s child welfare system. My time in the system, though hard and traumatizing, forced me to find strength and my voice amid the chaos and confusion. Those experiences ignited a passion to fight for something much larger than myself and my family.
For years, I questioned my purpose: Why was I burdened with years of abuse and trauma? How could I possibly grow beyond it? My outlook on life was so limited, yet I had a strong urge to keep fighting even if what I was fighting for was still undefined.
My voice became my outlet and my power. I found a great sense of peace in being expressive. I was very vocal and active in every aspect of my child welfare case, asking questions and challenging the system. It was this persistence that led my CASA worker to ask if I would be interested in speaking at the CASA gala.
I was 15 years old, trying to make sense of my current circumstances, and I was so nervous. I second-guessed my decision each day leading up to the event. I had never spoken in front of a crowd before, let alone about my life experiences. I remember walking onto that stage and instantly being intimidated by the number of people in the crowd. I felt my body becoming tense but I knew I had to just start speaking. In that moment, I looked out toward my grandmother and began speaking to her. Slowly, the feelings of nervousness and anxiety went away, and I became more confident as I spoke. This was the first time in my life where I felt like I was doing something good.
When I stepped off that stage, I felt relief, excitement, and joy. For the first time in my life, I felt truly heard.
I had been reluctant to speak when I was first asked. I was afraid of other people’s opinions or kids at my school finding out about a piece of me that I wanted to keep safe and guarded. But the more I became involved in the decisions that involved me, I also became more involved in advocacy. Advocacy helped me grow confident in who I was and to recognize that I was not a failure. I learned to accept my current circumstances and use my supportive community to empower me to where I wanted to go.
I have grown from a once-silent-but-hopeful youth into a powerhouse — an unstoppable young adult and advocate. I can say with certainty that there is nothing more powerful than having full control of your narrative.
For this reason, I lead with conviction in advocacy. I believe it is crucial to fight to dismantle the structure of a system that actively restricts the basic right to have your voice heard. I was called to break free of the restrictions of my circumstances, but I couldn’t have done it alone. With support and faith, I have overcome these challenges — and they continue to sustain me.
Sharing my story goes hand-in-hand with how I approach advocacy. It’s not just something I’m good at — it’s something I’m called to do. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved on my advocacy journey so far. I’ve spoken to recent high school graduates at a Teens-in-Transition Luncheon, shared my perspective on abolishing the child welfare system during a panel at the Rutgers Law School Child Welfare Symposium, and even participated in a White House round table during National Child Welfare Awareness Month.
Now, my journey has brought me to Children’s Rights, a perfect fit for me. Their focus on ensuring the legal rights and protection of children aligns with my passion for helping young people realize their own power and right to advocate for themselves and others.
My story thus far is one of resilience and transformation. I am here today not just to share it but to continue the work of ensuring that every voice — especially those who have been silenced — is heard.
When I look back at my younger self, I see a girl longing for love, to be seen, to be heard, fighting emotional and mental battles that felt overwhelming. But I also see a little girl with unmatched drive and a light only God could dim. I see pain that would soon lead to purpose.
I see me.
