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 going to college.”
With an associate’s degree in her sights, Ana enrolled at Mira Costa College but, without a laptop, she struggled to access coursework online. When a counselor referred her to College Bound at Just in Time, she rushed to apply.
“I received a laptop, a printer, and a coach who took me on a “shopping spree” for school supplies. It seemed like a miracle!”
At the College Bound event, Ana met other participants, many of them working toward their bachelor’s degrees and a few who were shooting for their master’s.
“I remember seeing them and thinking that would be so amazing. But I still didn’t see myself doing it. I thought I would barely get my bachelor’s. I had a lot of doubt.”
With consistent support from the College Bound community, Ana achieved her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from San Diego State University last June. She also received a Master Your Dream scholarship, which is enabling her to go to graduate school.
“I feel like every time something comes up, every time I need help, JIT is there for me. Being connected to people who are similar to me has been such a game-changer on my journey. The JIT community has been the support I’ve never had.”
