Tyra, 23 years old, CA

Tyra's main hobby is creating lasting memories with her children. She enjoys taking them to the beach or parks, as these were experiences she missed out on during her own childhood. She is majoring in social work, driven by her experiences growing up in foster care. Having encountered numerous challenges with social workers throughout her life, her goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Tyra was taken into foster care at the age of three and returned home after a couple of months. Unfortunately, her siblings and she were repeatedly taken away from their home. The last time she was removed, she was eight years old, and due to the lack of available foster homes, she and three of her siblings were separated. She remained in foster care until she aged out at eighteen, moving from home to home and often feeling like she didn't belong anywhere. Using her painful experiences as motivation, Tyra pursued a college education after high school. She also became a young mother of three during this time. The journey through foster care has shaped her into a strong, independent, and resilient woman. For her, giving up has never been an option, and she is committed to instilling that same determination in her children.

Wishes submitted by:

Sacramento State Guardian Scholars Program