When I was in foster care, I received a manila folder every six months. Inside were important documents—court orders, case plans, medical records, social worker reports, and educational documents—each a reminder of my life in the system. At the time, receiving that folder always brought a sense of anxiety and sadness. It was a constant reminder of everything I had been through and what was still ahead: the uncertainty, the struggles, and the wait for change. But when I finally received my last packet—filled with over 10 years of paperwork—it marked the end of an era. The folder, once a symbol of uncertainty, became a symbol of everything I had built. After my final hearing, I walked away feeling relieved and proud, knowing that I was going home to my very first college dorm room— my own personalized space. I was going home in my own car, bought with the scholarships I earned. That moment, holding that final folder, was a reminder of how far I had come and what I had accomplished on my own.
-Carolina Llerenas