Xavier, age 22

Xavier, age 22

Xavier’s Journey When asked what lasting words he’d pass on to youth in the foster care system, Xavier reflects on his journey from anger and despair to hope and forgiveness, breathes deeply, and offers these words of inspiration. “Keep moving on – it’s hard – you even want to give up, I know I did. Just have the decency to care for yourself”. The Journey Begins  “The police came and took my mother away. I still remember calling for her. My younger sister and I got put into the back of a police car and taken to the hospital then on to a foster home. It happened so fast – we really didn’t know what was going on.” Xavier entered the foster care system at age 7, and was first placed in a family foster home. “I really had it good there. Cake and ice cream and even a birthday party at McDonalds. But I was so angry – they didn’t know how to control me, so I got moved to a program.”  On the Move During the time Xavier was in care he moved through 18 different group homes and programs. He lost track of how many schools he was in – but he remembers 5 different high schools. “It’s hard to cope not having your mother or family. I got into a lot of trouble – lots of anger.” To help control his behavior the State put him on various medications. “I was taking about six different meds a day. I had drool falling out of my mouth and was falling asleep on my desk at school.” Moving Out Xavier’s driving motivation was to get out of CPS as soon as he turned 18. “I turned 18 and just left. First I went to live with a friend for a couple of months. Then I just kinda bounced around from place to place for a year.” The Road Takes a Positive Turn “My PAL worker told me about a new place, the HAY Center. It was going to be a place for youth and alumni (former foster youth), to hang out, eat, and get a chance to succeed. I was hoping it would be something different from CPS.” Xavier found the HAY Center as did many of his former foster brothers and sisters. “I saw a lot of my old friends. It gave me a chance to ask for forgiveness for things that happened while we were in care. It helped me rekindle my relations with friends I had before.” While at the HAY Center, Xavier participated in the AIM Group (Alumni Impacting Many), a youth/alumni advocacy group, cooking classes, various events, and workshops. He even enrolled in college through one of the Center’s college days. “The HAY Center was and is a big part of my life. I don’t know what I would have done if they weren’t there. It’s kinda like a home away from home.” The Road Ahead “I want to be the very best I can be! When they call me Doctor Johnson, I want to know I’ve worked hard for it, and earned it.” Xavier, now age 22, has earned his associate degree in applied sciences, and is planning to transfer to either Texas State University or the University of Houston. His dream is to become an Anthropologist, travel the world, and one day host his own television documentary on various cultures  
The HAY Center
2015-10-29T15:21:59+00:00
Xavier’s Journey When asked what lasting words he’d pass on to youth in the foster care system, Xavier reflects on his journey from anger and despair to hope and forgiveness, breathes deeply, and offers these words of inspiration. “Keep moving on – it’s hard – you even want to give up, I know I did. Just have the decency to care for yourself”. The Journey Begins  “The police came and took my mother away. I still remember calling for her. My younger sister and I got put into the back of a police car and taken to the hospital then on to a foster home. It happened so fast – we really didn’t know what was going on.” Xavier entered the foster care system at age 7, and was first placed in a family foster home. “I really had it good there. Cake and ice cream and even a birthday party at McDonalds. But I was so angry – they didn’t know how to control me, so I got moved to a program.”  On the Move During the time Xavier was in care he moved through 18 different group homes and programs. He lost track of how many schools he was in – but he remembers 5 different high schools. “It’s hard to cope not having your mother or family. I got into a lot of trouble – lots of anger.” To help control his behavior the State put him on various medications. “I was taking about six different meds a day. I had drool falling out of my mouth and was falling asleep on my desk at school.” Moving Out Xavier’s driving motivation was to get out of CPS as soon as he turned 18. “I turned 18 and just left. First I went to live with a friend...