Tia: Self-motivation and Perseverance Can Open Doors

Tia entered foster care at 14 years old after her mother called the police reporting that Tia had tried to overdose. After a stay in the hospital, she was placed in an RTC. She has 11 siblings and was the only one that was placed in the foster care system which caused her relationship with her siblings to be strained. Her self-motivation helped her to overcome her hardships and lack of a support system. It has enabled her to move into a transitional living program after aging out and eventually move out on her own. Tia is currently working and going to school with the goal of getting a master’s degree in social work and one day becoming a foster parent herself. She believes that teachers, lawyers, and caseworkers should try to really be there for the foster children and be a listening ear always trying to check up on the children and making sure that they are doing okay.     If you are a former foster child who aged out of the system and want to share your story, email us at [email protected]! You deserve to be heard.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook! Credits: Tia Jackson Editor: Soheil Abdmousavi Editing team: Megan Flores Interviewer: Megan Flores Music Credit: Nostalgia” by Tobu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fFMjGs2mvs   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SMU or the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation