Clarissa grew up navigating the instability of foster care from age nine and juvenile justice involvement starting at thirteen, experiences that shaped her resilience but left gaps in stability and self-sufficiency. Now a full-time undergraduate student at California State University, Long Beach, majoring in sociology and psychology, she balances rigorous coursework with demanding roles as Co-Chair in youth advocacy, a community organizer, and facilitator for statewide leadership trainings and events. These commitments, alongside multiple internships, mean long days of public transit commutes, virtual meetings, policy development sessions, and community outreach.