Erika entered foster care when she was just four years old after her mother went to prison. She grew up moving through the foster care system and had to become independent much earlier than most people her age. When she aged out of care, she had to step into adulthood without the support system many others have. Even with these challenges, Erika has stayed strong and focused. She is now living in her own apartment and raising her child as a single mom while working hard to build a stable life. Erika has always loved math and numbers because they feel steady and predictable to her. That interest has turned into a career goal that she is actively working toward through school. After putting her child to bed, she studies late at night to keep moving forward. Erika is not just earning a degree—she is building a better future for herself and her child and showing that her past does not define her possibilities.