Clarissa, 22 years old, CA

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Clarissa entered foster care at the age of nine and experienced more than 20 different placements before she aged out. Now, as a full-time student at Cal State Long Beach, she is pursuing a degree in sociology and psychology. In addition to her studies, she actively advocates for other foster youth, using the challenges she faced as motivation to empower others.

For Clarissa, her phone has never been just a phone. It is the only way she has stayed connected to the few people who have been in her corner through every placement and every transition. Her current device is about six years old and failing. Staying connected is not optional for her. It is how she stays grounded.