MORE THAN
.
Uncovering Untold Stories of Youth Through Art
SCARLET & EMMITT
What you are about to read are snapshots of various points in our lives in foster care. You will see how much changes for us, how people view us, and what many people are missing about how our lives are unfolding. Our names are Scarlet and Emmitt and these are pieces of our stories.
*While sentiments/words from youth are accurate, the details of stories have been changed to maintain client confidentiality.
NAME:
Brooklynn
IDENTIFIES AS: Female, Biracial
PLACEMENT STATUS: On 2nd placement, living in foster home with brother
# OF SCHOOL CHANGES: Not in school I FEEL CONNECTED TO: Mom, brother, next door neighbor who babysits
WHAT I’VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ME:
I’m still learning English, so I don’t always know what people are saying around me.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW: I’m anxious and don’t know what happened to my mom.
A DAY IN MY LIFE:
Every day I watch the door to see if my mom is coming back.
NAME: Emmitt
IDENTIFIES AS: Male, Biracial
PLACEMENT STATUS:
On 2nd placement, living in foster home with sister
# OF SCHOOL CHANGES: 2 I FEEL CONNECTED TO: Mom, sister, uncle, cousins, school friends
WHAT I’VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ME:
I’m smart. I can’t keep still. I don’t listen. I have ADHD.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW:
I feel like it’s my job to take care of my sister until my mom comes back. I’m nervous that I will never get to see my mom again. I am scared. I am confused.
A DAY IN MY LIFE:
Before I go to bed, I tell my sister that we will be ok and mom is coming back for us.
NAME:
Brooklynn
IDENTIFIES AS: Female, Biracial
PLACEMENT STATUS:
On 4th placement, living in foster home with brother
# OF SCHOOL CHANGES: 2 I FEEL CONNECTED TO:
Foster mom, foster dad, foster sister, my brother
WHAT I’VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ME: I will forget my family. I don’t need my family. I am lucky to have a foster family that loves me.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW:
I see people’s faces in my dreams, but I don’t know who they are. I try hard to listen to the adults around me because no one tells me what’s happening. I am starting to get angry when people keep secrets from me. I am losing hope that I will see my mom again.
A DAY IN MY LIFE:
I experience feelings that I don’t know how to explain. I keep my feelings to myself so I don’t get in trouble like my brother does. I’m starting to cry when I’m alone.
NAME: Emmitt
IDENTIFIES AS: Male, Biracial
PLACEMENT STATUS:
On 4th placement, living in foster home with sister
# OF SCHOOL CHANGES: 3 I FEEL CONNECTED TO: Sister, a counselor at school, best friend at school
WHAT I’VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ME:
I know better. My mom should’ve taught me better. I’m a danger to my sister and other kids. I need therapy.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW:
I don’t like the thoughts and feelings I have when I’m quiet and alone. I am nervous that someone is going to take me away from my sister. I am scared that my mom can’t find us.
A DAY IN MY LIFE:
I just dream that my family will be back together. I get into fights at school.
NAME:
Scarlet (name changed when adopted)
IDENTIFIES AS: Female, Biracial
PLACEMENT STATUS:
On 4th placement (now adopted); Currently living in same home without brother
# OF SCHOOL CHANGES: 2 I FEEL CONNECTED TO:
Adoptive mom, adoptive dad, adoptive sister, the girl who lives next door
WHAT I’VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ME:
I am emotional. I will need therapy for a long time. I am lucky to have an adoptive family that takes care of me.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW:
I often wonder who I look like in my biological family. I feel sad and lonely a lot even though I live with my adoptive family. I miss my biological brother. My memories of my mom are starting to fade.
A DAY IN MY LIFE:
I go to school then go home. I use drawing to avoid feeling alone. I keep thinking my brother is mad at me because he doesn’t visit anymore.
NAME: Emmitt
IDENTIFIES AS:
Male, Filipino and African American
PLACEMENT STATUS:
On 9th placement, living in a group home
# OF SCHOOL CHANGES: 8 I FEEL CONNECTED TO:
Social Worker, sister, a friend in the group home
WHAT I’VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ME: I’m oppositional. I’m troubled. I’ll never amount to anything. I have ODD.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW:
I’m mad at myself for being separated from my sister. I get angry when I think my sister might not be safe. I can’t trust anyone around me.
A DAY IN MY LIFE:
I look forward to going to sleep because it’s the only break I have from the anger, fear, and loneliness I feel. I am feeling like there is no escape.
NAME: Scarlet
IDENTIFIES AS: Female, Biracial
PLACEMENT STATUS:
On 4th placement (still adopted); Currently living in same home without brother
# OF SCHOOL CHANGES: 3 I FEEL CONNECTED TO: Adoptive family
WHAT I’VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ME: I am lucky because I got adopted. I have everything I need. My biological family is unhealthy and unsafe.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW:
I remember having a brother but I don’t know if he remembers me. I feel like my adoptive family will be mad at me if I ask about my biological family. I feel so alone. I am constantly dreaming of a better life.
A DAY IN MY LIFE:
I am thinking about life as an adult and searching for my brother. I am wondering who the people in my dreams are. I draw a lot.
NAME: Emmitt
IDENTIFIES AS:
Male, Filipino and African American
PLACEMENT STATUS:
On 15th placement, staying in juvenile hall
# OF SCHOOL CHANGES: 12 I FEEL CONNECTED TO:
Last Social Worker, girlfriend, girlfriend’s family, staff at last group home
WHAT I’VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ME:
I’m aggressive. I have so much potential if only I’d let go of the past. I’m just going to self-sabotage. I’m a few bad choices away from prison.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW:
Not a day goes by when I don’t think about my sister and if she’s had to experience what I have. I am going to love my mom no matter what. I think of the good times with my family and want to feel that love again.
A DAY IN MY LIFE:
I am thinking about my mom and sister. They are all I want. Hoping they’re ok. Wondering if they are better off without me.
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 DAUGHTER CURIOUS A MUSICIAN A SISTER A JOKESTER LOVING STYLISH OBSERVANT A BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT HONEST
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 CARING A PROTECTOR A SON A FREE SPIRIT SOCIAL INSIGHTFUL AN ARTIST A BROTHER STRONG A DREAMER
The YMCA of San Diego County is dedicated to improving the quality of human life and to helping all people realize their fullest potential as children of God through the development of the spirit, mind and body.
