Back on Track

by | Dec 15, 2021 | YOUTH STORIES

As a young child, Irvin was taken away from his mother. He was eventually placed in a foster home that provided the basic necessities, but he always felt like he was never truly loved or cared for.

In his early 20s, Irvin was kicked out of his foster home. His sister referred him to Just in Time for resources but he was hesitant to connect, too proud to admit he could use support. Eventually, he took a chance and enrolled in College Bound, and soon found himself in Bridges to Success for Young Men and Pathways to Financial Power.

“It was amazing and the mentors at JIT really changed my perspective on a lot of things,” shared Irvin.

Recently, Irvin ran into a roadblock along his journey. With a reduction in work hours, he found himself living month-to-month. Then, filing his taxes, he discovered he owed money to the IRS.

“I feared that if I paid the tax return, I wouldn’t have money to pay rent. If I paid rent, I couldn’t pay the tax return. I reached out to Just in Time for help.”
And help is what he got. Irvin received financial support so that he could meet his rent and still have the capacity to pay his taxes. And once that stability was established, he let his walls down and opened up to much more.

“I was kind of speechless that I was able to get help so quickly. I was able to get back on track with my financial stability,” said Irvin. “Since then, I started getting more dedicated to Just in Time and I feel like everything started changing for the better. My mindset has matured and it has a lot to do with the resources they gave me – mentors, coaches, programs – I feel like I can handle anything that’s coming towards me.”

Read More

Latest Youth Stories

Leveraging Strengths for Professional Success

Leveraging Strengths for Professional Success

Michael loves people and networking, so when Pathways to Financial Power appeared on his radar, he was excited to join.   “I’m a business and accounting major, so I know the math side, but Pathways seemed like a chance to get into the Business World, network, and...

Mastering Doubt

Mastering Doubt

Entering foster care at the age of twelve, Ana experienced seven different placements in three years.   “I always remember sitting in foster homes thinking, ‘When I get out of here and have control over my life, I want to do something with myself.’ I knew the key was...

A Path To Wellness

A Path To Wellness

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...

Be Inspired & Stay Engaged!

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive our latest updates and powerful stories of resilience.

Thank you! You have successfully subscribed.

Be Inspired & Stay Engaged!

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive our latest updates and powerful stories of resilience.

Thank you! You have successfully subscribed.

Be Inspired & Stay Engaged!

 

Co-authored by Just in Time staff with lived experience, this book is sparking the nationwide conversation around a new, youth-led mental model for young people leaving foster care.

 

 

Thank you! You have successfully subscribed.