Many foster youth face challenges that most people cannot imagine, and even more grow up feeling that they have to face them alone. Former foster youth Domenico has faced more than his fair share of hardships, but thanks to a caring home and support from the foster youth system in San Diego, he managed to overcome these challenges and is now working toward obtaining an education and improving his chances for upward mobility. We spoke with Domenico to learn more about the obstacles he has endured, his current goals, and the importance of a supportive and stable community in his life.
My grandmother adopted me at birth, but she passed away when I was eight years old. From that moment, I was placed with abusive guardians, and often feeling like I had nowhere to belong, I was belittled and felt like I could not or did not deserve to succeed in life.
When I was 14, I ran away from my guardian’s home. At first, I went to my neighbor’s house, but I couldn’t stay there long. Eventually, I was placed in my aunt’s custody in San Diego, where my brother was also living at the time. The move to San Diego was tough. I went from a small school with 200 students to a huge one with 2,000. Besides the culture shock, I was now living with family members I didn’t know well, which added to my feelings of isolation. As a foster youth, I had to navigate life differently. While many people can depend on family, we often have to depend on ourselves.
My uncle, a paraplegic, was one of the first to demonstrate to me that I could rely on others and told me I was capable of more than I thought. He encouraged me to join sports and clubs, and track and field became my outlet. It was the first place I learned perseverance—the discipline to keep going even when I wanted to give up. His support, along with my own determination, helped me raise my GPA from a 2.0 to a 3.8. That change proved to me that I could accomplish more than I ever imagined.
My first experience with a stable foster youth program was also in high school. For the first time, I had a consistent relationship with social workers through the Foster Alumni & Youth Community Empowerment Subcommittee (FAYCES), who were present on campus. That support made a huge difference, and it reminded me that there were people who cared and who wanted me to succeed. They connected me with different programs, such as the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP) Youth programs.
SDWP opened doors I didn’t even know existed. Through SDWP, they have provided me with opportunities to grow, network, and build toward my future. One of the most meaningful experiences has been serving on the Youth Board. I joined about a year ago, and it gave me the chance to represent foster youth, share my experiences, and even help organize the youth symposium. Being in spaces where I can be heard and help amplify the voices of other foster youth has been truly transformative.
Today, I’m studying biology and psychology at San Diego Mesa College, while also taking automotive classes just for fun. I recently started working as a project analyst at San Diego Miramar College in their admissions and records office. My dream is to pursue a career in science, specifically in lab management, research, or working with stem cells. My uncle’s experience as a paraplegic inspired me to think about ways I could contribute to spinal cord research, and that goal continues to drive me forward.
For me, it all comes down to hope. There were times when I felt desperate, when I didn’t think I was capable of building a future. But the truth is, if you keep pushing, even when the world tells you “no,” you can make space for yourself to succeed.