California

Luna Busch 6 years in Foster Care 21 years old She/her/hers Luna Busch is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at UC Berkeley. After she graduates, Luna plans to pursue either a Master’s degree in Public Policy or enroll in law school to prepare her for a political... Read more

Erial Pierr 3 years in Foster Care 24 years old She/her/hers Erial Pierr is currently working on a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology, and intends to continue school to earn a Ph.D. on track to becoming a college professor. She is passionate about the field of anthropology and understanding... Read more

Karen Esparza Lopez 2 years in Foster Care 22 years old She/her/hers Karen Esparza Lopez is an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley, and plans to continue her education to obtain a dual degree: a Master’s in Public Policy, and a Juris Doctor. Karen is committed to higher education, and sees... Read more

Izzy Moncada 24 Years Old They/Them California Foster Care System Izzy Moncada entered the system at the age of 5 months and aged out at 21 years of age, currently waiting for permanent placement. Izzy is very involved in advocacy work, and identifies as being a part of the LGBTQ+,... Read more

Brana Phillips She/Her California Brana Phillips resides in Los Angeles, Ca. She is currently a sophomore at the University of California, Merced majoring in psychology with the hopes of being a juvenile probation officer. Her interest in this degree, sprouted from her personal experience of not receiving reliable and trustworthy... Read more

Hannah Vargas She/Her/Hers 19 Years Old California Foster Care System Hannah is from Los Angeles, California and first entered the state’s foster care system at age 6 for about one year under kinship placement. She was reunified with her mother at age seven, yet re-entered the system at age 16... Read more

Special Fleming-Patterson She/Her/Hers 23 Years Old California Foster Care System Special Fleming-Patterson is currently a sophomore at Los Angeles Southwest College studying psychology. Her educational goals include obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, master’s in LCSW/LMFT, and perhaps pursue her doctorate in the future. Special loves learning new things from... Read more

Marciela Rodrigues She/Her/Hers 19 Years Old California Foster Care System Marciela first entered the foster care system when she was only a few days old and has spent 18 years in the foster system. She has experienced 15 plus placements but is now currently attending the University of California Berkeley... Read more

Ashley Marguerite Papias She/Her/Hers/Ella 17 Years Old California Foster Care System Ashley entered the foster care system at 5 years old -- in the state of California -- and will exit as soon as she turns 18. She is planning to attend UC Berkeley this upcoming fall. She was motivated... Read more

Anna Judson She/Her/Hers 23 Years Old California Foster Care System Anna Judson is a graduating legal studies student with a double minor in public policy and human rights. Throughout her undergraduate career, Anna advocated and provided services to low-income, first-generation, and foster-youth communities, and co-developed the Berkeley Hope Scholar’s “UC... Read more