MORE THAN Uncovering Untold Stories of Youth Through Art
ANGELICA
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What you are about to read are snapshots of various points in my life in foster care. You will see how much changes for me, how people view me, and what many people are missing about how my life is unfolding. My name is Angelica and these are pieces of my story.
*While sentiments/words from youth are accurate, the details of stories have been changed to maintain client confidentiality.
NAME: Antonio
IDENTIFIES AS: Latino, Male
PLACEMENT STATUS: On 2nd placement, living in foster home
# OF SCHOOL CHANGES: 2 I FEEL CONNECTED TO: Dad, step dad, foster parents
WHAT I'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ME: My dad is a bad person. I am better off without my dad. I need help. My anger isn’t normal.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW:
My dad is the only person who made me feel safe. Something happened to me when I was younger, but I don’t know how to talk about it. I’m scared. I hate myself.
A DAY IN MY LIFE:
I am constantly wondering when I will see my dad again. I am trying not to think about what happened to me when I was 5. I am feeling so much anger and I don’t know what to do with it.
NAME:
Anthony (preferred name)
IDENTIFIES AS:
Non-binary (uses pronouns they/them/theirs), Latino
PLACEMENT STATUS:
In 4th placement, foster home
# OF SCHOOL CHANGES: 3 I FEEL CONNECTED TO: Dad, god mom, aunt, new foster parents & their son
WHAT I’VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ME: I’m a weird boy. I shouldn’t play with dolls. I can’t wear the clothes I want to wear. I’m a big boy so I should try and play sports. My relationship with my dad is unhealthy.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW:
I always liked playing dress up and it was ok at home. I hate sports. No one has told me why I can’t live with my dad. I can only talk to my family when I get on Facebook. No matter what people tell me, I will always love my dad.
A DAY IN MY LIFE:
I’m feeling frustrated because I can’t wear what I want. I go to therapy. I get bullied for being “weird.”
NAME:
Angel (preferred name)
IDENTIFIES AS:
Latino, Female, part of LGBTQ+ community (uses pronouns she/her/hers and they/them/theirs)
PLACEMENT STATUS: Living in 6th placement, group home
# OF SCHOOL CHANGES: 4 I FEEL CONNECTED TO: No one
WHAT I’VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ME:
I need therapy. It’s no wonder I don’t have friends. I’m inappropriate. I’m explosive. I should make sure people don’t see the clothes in my closet to protect myself.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW:
I’ve felt like a girl for years and no one seems to understand me. I don’t feel safe anywhere. I am curious about makeup. I haven’t heard from my dad in months. No one loves me.
A DAY IN MY LIFE:
I am struggling to make a decision about what I want to wear to school. I am wondering why no one loves me. I am feeling high anxiety everywhere I go.
NAME: Angelica (legal name change)
IDENTIFIES AS: Indian and Mexican, Trans (uses pronouns she/her/hers)
PLACEMENT STATUS:
On 8th change, currently living in a higher level group home
# OF SCHOOL CHANGES: 6 I FEEL CONNECTED TO: Dad, mentor, secret boyfriend, dad’s friend
WHAT I’VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ME:
I can be whoever I want to be. I should spend more time thinking about wanting my procedure. I need to work on my anger. I should be careful about putting my hope in my dad.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW: I have been wanting to be a girl all my life. I just want to feel like myself for once. I’m ready. I’m scared and I need support. I want to learn how to love myself.
A DAY IN MY LIFE:
I wonder what it will be like to be a woman. I’m trying to get used to the looks that people give me. I am trying on makeup in secret in the bathroom. I am hoping to get a pass to see my best friend to get some relief from the pain.
Although these snapshots capture important parts of my story, they do not accurately depict who I am. I am MORE THAN a case number, MORE THAN an incident report, and MORE THAN the labels that have been put on me. I feel a lot inside and...
I AM A PROUD TRANS WOMAN AN ARTIST HIL ARIOUS SMART HONEST BLESSED MULTIRACIAL EXPLORATIVE LOYAL A DIVA
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