Jesus’ Story of Overcoming Obstacles

Jesus has been in foster care since he was 3 years old. He now attends a university with a 3.9 GPA. Jesus recently shared powerful words with ISF that we hope will inspire you, as a supporter or volunteer, to continue in the work of advocating for aged out foster care youth to pursue a college education.

"Overcoming obstacles can always be a challenge. No matter what path of life you pursue or stumble upon, obstacles will be there to meet you and make things worse. Throughout my life, I guess you can say I've had a few obstacles here and there."

"Adoption was an obstacle, as I had been separated from my biological family and wasn't truly ready to trust another family that was not my own. The feeling that I was all alone and unloved due to being separated, and the fact that I never really fit in where I went were also some deep challenges I had to face and honestly am still facing."

"I'm beyond grateful that this year I start a new chapter in my life. Going to college is going to open new windows of opportunity. I'll have the opportunity to truly see what I enjoy, what I eventually don't, and I'll be able to make up my mind after I get settled in and begin to work."

"I aspire to obtain a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and to successfully complete college and become the second person in my family to go to a university. I want to live a happy, healthy lifestyle, being wholly led by my desire to never again end up in the scenarios I was in as a child–psychologically, physically and emotionally. I plan to continue striving forward because it's ultimately up to me."