Skip to content

Alumni perspective

Elizabeth Sutherland

“I found my family at Walmart”

A foster care alum writes about the friends, colleagues, and strangers who helped her succeed after aging out of care.

AnnMarie Rainwater

Finding normal

A young woman reflects on her adoption after eight foster placements: “I realized that they really loved me, that they weren’t going to give up on me.”

Alex Oleson and mother

From foster youth to foster care advocate

“Having a permanent home laid the foundation for my success. It also inspired me to pay it forward, because it’s up to each of us to share the opportunities we’ve had with the next generation.”

Sydney Martin and family

Staying for good

A nursing student talks about bonding with her new family after being adopted as a teen.