I was born in Chicago IL, in 2000, but grew up in central Georgia, spending almost the entirety of my teenage years in its overflowing foster care system. I dropped out of school, having only finished the 8th grade. I had been in at least group homes by the time I reached 16, after multiple failed placements due to my behavioral issues and elopement attempts. I was angry, I was hurt, and I felt like I had nowhere to turn; I could not have joined Murphy-Harpst at a better time.

I arrived to Murphy-Harpst with a garbage bag of my belongings, along with my caseworker who carried a Bible-sized folder in her hand detailing every bit of my life. I did not want to be there, and I was willing to do whatever it took to get as far away as possible.

I spent over a year working the program at Murphy-Harpst. A few months after my arrival, my hard outer shell was broken. The amount of pure love I felt, not only from the staff but also the other children and management, was not something I was used to. I felt like I was living in a dream, waiting for someone to pinch me and wake me up. I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to change the path was heading down and make something of myself. Having never finished school, I never thought that I was smart enough to pursue a career in the healthcare field, but I discovered my love of science and health while I attended Murphy-Harpst’s York Academy. I spent days reading manuscripts and medical related literature. It wasn’t until one of my teachers sat me down and told me, “you can be whoever YOU want to be, as long as you work it,” that I truly realized my capabilities.

When I turned 18, I was offered by the Dicision of Family and Children Services a choice: stay in care until I turn 21, or accept a plane ticket home to Chicago. As you can imagine, I took the ticket home. I flew home on my 18th birthday with my garbage bag of belongings and a $40 VISA gift card, hoping for the best. When I landed, there was nobody at the airport waiting for me. I was completely alone, day 1 of adulthood, in the middle of what seemed like such an unfamiliar place. I thought back every single day to the things I learned at Murphy-Harpst, and how I could utilize the tools I was given for when this day would finally arrive.

I was able to find myself a place to stay and immediately started researching where I could continue my education. After all, not education, no job, right?

Later that year, in August, I successfully completed my GED class and graduated! I was so incredibly proud of myself, and so excited to keep going. I got my first job as an entry level caregiver that year as well. I had a REAL first hand look into the healthcare field that I was so passionate and intrigued by. From there, things took flight. I excelled at work, so much that they paid for me to become a nursing assistant.

In 2019, I applied for entry into a nursing program at a local technical college, not sure what to expect. I, again, didn’t believe that I was good enough to make it in… but I DID! I started school, and during that time, I met my partner Vernon!

In 2020, just 2 years after leaving Murphy-Harpst, I received my first 2 diplomas. I was a licensed Phlebotomist and CNA/ CBRF provider. I even received a new job offer to work with at-risk youth at a Group Home facility local to us! Vernon and I welcomed our first child, a boy named Toronto! In 2022 we had our first girl, Indigo, and in 2023 our second girl, Namiko.

Parenting in full swing, Vernon and I got married at the end of 2023, surrounded by friends and family with our 3 beautiful kids by our side. We knew 2024 was going to be OUR year! In the beginning of the year, we took a leap of faith and placed an offer in on our dream home. We got it! We loaded up the kids, our dog, left our apartment and moved into our forever home.

In May of 2024 I was finally reaching the end of school. I was so nervous but so excited to be able to make my babies proud! I took my NCLEX exam and I passed! I was officially a nurse! I now work at a local hospital full time in our trauma unit.