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Stephanie

Massachusetts 

Stephanie of Massachusetts became a runaway after being placed into foster care and struggled for years to get her life on track. Today she's a happily married mom of twin girls and dedicated to inspiring youth through her story.

In Stephanie's own words

For years I used to cover up and make excuses as a child to avoid being removed from our home; eleven years and 15 51A reports later this ended. I was awarded to the State of Massachusetts along with my eight-year-old sister and five-year-old brother. My journey had only begun.

After several placements, I began running away and faced a lot of legal repercussions. While in the state's custody I was held in juvenile detention centers, placed in group homes and even a drug rehabilitation for kids. I kept running away, and eventually when the odds were against me I ran across country to Miami, Fla.

I was beginning to realize this life wasn’t for me. It was dangerous and scary. I decided to make changes that began with going home and being there for my siblings. I had raised them until the state removed us and we were split up. I wanted to start attending therapy and was so excited for family visits. I was able to develop a relationship with my brother and sister again and wanted so badly to become a responsible adult and upstanding citizen to set an example for them.

With so many bad memories and no foundation laid for me as a child, it was hard. At times, I was told “impossible” with a drug addict and alcoholic bipolar mother and three different absent fathers. It wasn’t going to be easy. I was on and off a lot of medication in being diagnosed and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder and manic depression.

After several years of battling these conditions, I slowly started school again. After I obtained my G.E.D., I secured employment and got my own apartment. I was also able to get my license and purchase a car. I then applied for a job working in the Juvenile Clerk Magistrate’s Office in Cambridge, Mass. I worked there for two years as a case specialist and learned the procedures of law. I started taking classes at a local community college and was fighting for custody of my younger brother who had been abused while in the state’s custody. This fueled me and I began to see a difference with my sister. She had begun her own initiatives toward a positive future.

I was starting to see all of my hard efforts pay off. I was promoted to administrative assistant of the Support Services Department within the Administrative Office of the Trial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I assisted in registering 40 new judges for the judicial response system where I then coordinated schedules and maintained 80 cell phones. I also assisted in alternative dispute resolution mediation services and conferences held at the Henderson House in Weston, Mass. I realized I had a passion building.

I was soon awarded custody of my younger brother Brian, became happily married and also raised twin girls while working to accomplish these goals. My life was soaring with leaps and no boundaries. I served the state and my family, but above all God’s purpose was being fulfilled in my life. I am now working towards a degree that will further my ability to work directly with children.

I am very interested in sharing my experience and have done some local speaking for the department of social services children in my area. I also understand how crucial it has been to get to this point and would like to send a positive message to our youth and this generation. I can relate and inspire these children if given the right chance.