Katie’s story is about resilience, healing, and what’s possible when an exceptional young person reaches out and feels truly seen and supported.
After a difficult childhood and time in foster care, Katie found a sense of belonging—with the help of a caring adult, a strong bond with her sister, and her own determination to break the cycle.
Today, Katie is thriving. She’s a youth coordinator and a volunteer firefighter, using her voice and lived experience to support others on similar journeys.
In this video, she shares what helped her through the hardest moments, what it was like to age out of care, and how she found purpose in giving back.
At the Belonging Network, we provide support, learning, and connection for adoptive and permanency families and youth from government care.
Our youth programs—including AgedOut.com—help young people build confidence, develop life skills, and access the support they need as they transition to adulthood and independence.
If this work speaks to you, we’d love for you to learn more about us, get involved, or consider making a donation.
You can also connect with us on social media:
Special thanks to the Seedlings Foundation for making this project possible.
