Wings by Cave (he/him)

 “When I first heard there would be a skateboarding club, I didn't think it would help me through life, I thought it would just be a fun thing to do. But I was wrong, it taught me how to be myself. During the time I had just been placed into the foster care system 3 months prior to joining the club. When I was first placed into foster care It felt like a big change in my life, I had lost all the familiarity I once had. I felt lost and hurt, and I blamed myself for the situation I was going through and I didn't feel like a normal teen. 

Through all I was going through I knew I had one place I could rely on without worrying about the label of being a foster kid, that was the skate club. While I was there, it felt like I was just a normal kid when I was in the club. I learned that life is what you make it, and the club taught me to make it something great. It gave me the confidence to get involved in public speaking opportunities and showed me that my voice did matter. Because of that I got involved with YLAT, a group for people who went through or are in foster care. From there I used my voice to spread my experience. Pam and Jocelyn showed me how adults should be and that there is hope for the Future regardless of what type of situation you're in. The skateboard they gave me was more than wood and wheels, they were my wings to become stronger to guide me to who I am now that Is proud.”