In 2022, when Kory left Pittsburgh for San Diego, he was leaving behind more than his hometown; he was leaving behind a dark period of uncertainty and betting on a better life. Having survived foster care, Korey found himself overwhelmed by anxiety and stress and consequently had dropped out of college. “When I moved to San Diego, I just wanted to improve myself,” he said.
Kory’s girlfriend, also a former foster youth, suggested he join her for a JIT Rise to Resilience workshop. It was here that Kory connected to a pathway through the emotional pain he had been experiencing. He leaned deeper into mind/body connection and began to embrace healthy practices, such as getting a full eight hours of sleep to help him regulate his mood.
Kory also began working with JIT wellness interns. As he tells us, “When I was little, I had severe anger issues. When I’d be sent away from a foster home, they’d tell me, ‘You aren’t a bad kid, but the things you do aren’t good,’ and I interpreted that to mean that anger is bad. My repressed anger evolved into depression.” Now Kory is learning to express his anger in a healthy way.
In addition to R2R and JIT Therapy, Kory has been benefiting from more JIT services, including College Bound, and has now re-enrolled in college!
