Breanna* grew up in an unsafe environment. Her mother was involved with illegal drugs, and her mother’s partner was at times physically violent. Breanna was often left alone for the better part of a day, sometimes with not enough to eat. When she was eight years old, Child Protective Services removed her from the home for her own safety.

Like many youth who enter foster care, Breanna’s life continued to be uncertain. She changed placements more than three times in her first two years in care. Adding to the trauma Breanna had been through, she had difficulty expressing herself in healthy ways, fitting in at school, and making friends. When she was 10 years old, Breanna was introduced to Nia*, a mentor in the Stanford Sierra Wonder program. Over the next seven years, Breanna changed foster homes another five times. With each move came a different foster family, a different neighborhood, and often a different school. But Nia remained the same. She was always there, the most consistent presence in Breanna’s life. If Breanna found it hard to connect with peers at school, she knew could talk with Nia, who listened attentively and without judgement. 

Shortly before her 18^th birthday, Breanna was hospitalized for a mental-health emergency. Afterward, she was placed with a foster parent, a single mother, who’d been trained to support youth dealing with mental health issues. Breanna started to thrive. She received therapy to help her process trauma, made a friend down the street, and grew more confident at school. And then her foster mom became ill with COVID, was hospitalized, and passed away. Breanna was devastated. 

As Breanna grieved, Nia continued to be a source of comfort and support. Nia and Breanna have a favorite café, where they sit outside, drink tea, and talk. Breanna has a lot to consider. She will graduate high school this spring. She’s also processing how she feels about joining a permanent family. She considers the possibility that she might leave the foster care system without one.  But as Nia helps her make plans to enter dental hygienist training, secure financial support for transition-age foster youth, and find a part-time job, Breanna knows she is not alone, that Nia is there for her no matter what, just as she has been for the last eight years.

*Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.