Leah is a resilient and determined young mother who has overcome extraordinary challenges to build a better life for herself and her daughter. Taken into foster care on her 10th birthday, she spent the next eight years navigating a system that often felt unstable and uncertain. At the age of 17, Leah became pregnant while in an abusive relationship, but she found the strength to break the cycle and utilized the resources available to her through foster care to secure stable housing. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to create a safe and loving home for her daughter. Leah is on track to earn her bachelor’s degree in psychology and currently works as a mental health professional in Orange County jails, supporting youth and young adults transitioning out of incarceration. Her goal is to continue her education by earning a master’s degree in social work so she can dedicate her career to helping other foster and justice-involved youth find stability and hope, just as she did. Leah’s story is one of strength, service, and a deep commitment to turning her lived experiences into a source of healing and guidance for others.