Aging Out and Speaking Out
1,500 young people age out of foster care in Texas every year. Dustin Haley entered foster care when he was eight years old and left in 2008 when he turned 18. Today, with support from Foster Care to Success, he is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin. Dustin has become an articulate and passionate voice for foster youth – so much so that NPR recently interviewed him on the subject. “I felt that in my entire life, I pretty much didn’t have control over anything,” Dustin said. “You don’t decide where you live, you don’t decide what meals you eat; you really don’t decide anything. But with education, I could decide that I can make an ‘A’ in this class, I could decide that I want to go to college, and that I’m going to college.”
Hear more from Dustin:
It takes an amazing amount of strength to succeed under such circumstances. Congratulations on a great start, Dustin.
Thanks Anne! Your words continued encouragement!
Dustin
I knew him, we grew up in the same children’s home! We were considered the two best kids on campus, by faculty at least. He was the first foster care kid I ever met who was determined to be successful in life, and who actually inspired ME to be just as determined! I cannot believe our paths have crossed again; by the time I moved into the children’s home, he was a junior in high school, had a job, and had his own truck, which was UNHEARD of!
I know this is all information that sounds so meaningless, but to me, it was the point where I was actually able to see that, yes, I could succeed, because HE was succeeding! I remember going to his graduation and telling myself that everything was going to be okay. Even if I never got adopted, I could still make it because that would be me in a few years. 🙂 I’m so proud of you Dustin, thanks for the inspiration!
Hey Erica!
Thanks for the kind words, they really mean a lot! I’m so happy to hear that you have found inspiration from my path! I hope you are doing just as well! You should find me on Facebook! I’d love to chat sometime..
Dustin