Johnny explains that he lived with his mother until he was 3 years old, and then with his grandparents for a short period of time. After that, he moved into the foster care system, living in more than four states and attending upward of 35 schools by the time he turned 16.

According to Johnny, 19, his youth was punctuated by periods of homelessness and placements in treatment centers, with his involvement with gangs being one of the only constants in his life.

“I had a lot of trust issues,” Johnny said. “I was always on my own. I really didn't have a childhood. I had to grow up quickly.”

Ultimately, he made his way into the Montana foster care system where he made some key connections with case workers, not to mention with himself.

Johnny, now a resident of Ronan, said he was sitting in a jail cell when he took full notice of the marks his way of life had left on his body and soul, and became interested in the healing process - inside and out.

Today, Johnny is pursuing his interest by studying pre-nursing at Salish Kootenai College - in fact, he earned a 3.8 GPA in his first semester. His goal is to attend Carroll College or The University of Montana for nursing.

“I had to learn that education is the key in life,” he said. “It's hard to find a job and even a certificate would get you a good job. I was nothing without education and it took me a long time to figure that out. There is no quick money. Learn from your mistakes.”

Johnny received additional help pursuing his dream of attaining his nursing degree when he attended Student Assistance Foundation's “A Step Ahead” College Prep Camp for Montana foster care youths in July 2011.

At the free, four-day camp, Johnny learned about financial aid opportunities for foster care youths, and how to find resources to help with aspects of his college career.

“I also learned that everyone struggles,” Johnny said. “I felt I could open up here at camp. I'm shy, but I have made friends.”

Johnny encourages other foster care youths to set aside their fears of getting hurt or failure and simply ask for help when they need it.

“In a tough situation, people are there to help,” he said. “You don't have to do this on your own.”

But what a difference a few years can make - Aurelia, a foster care youth from Cut Bank, is proud to say she had perfect attendance in her senior year of high school, and she began her freshman year at Cottey College in the Fall of 2011 to study French with an emphasis in education.

“Getting a college education is very important,” she said, as a participant at Student Assistance Foundation’s “A Step Ahead” College Prep Camp. “You can’t go anywhere in life if you don’t go to college. You’ll end up in the same situation. Going to college opens up so many doors you didn’t know existed.”

According to Aurelia, her grandmother, who cared for her for several years, didn’t know very much about college. It wasn’t until she was placed with a foster family at around the time she started high school that college became an option for her future.

Hard work and determination in life and school helped her win several scholarships, and even an opportunity to speak before a sub-committee of the Montana Legislature regarding the importance of providing adequate funding for foster care programs.

Aurelia said her entry into the foster care system enlightened her to a wide range of resources available to her, and other foster care youths, to help identify academic goals and achieve them.

She said SAF’s “A Step Ahead” camp provided her with valuable instruction relating to the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), application for Foster Care Education and Training Vouchers and much more. In addition, the free computer the campers receive at the camp has proven to be a helpful tool in the continuation of her education.

However, Aurelia said one of the most important gifts she received at the camp was the friendship of the other foster youths who participated. She explained that the population of foster youths in Cut Bank is limited and it was nice to meet other youths with similar life experiences.

“I learned I’m not alone in my situation,” she said. “It’s so nice to know that there are so many other people out there like me.”

“And then I realized that so many people want to see me succeed,” she said, explaining that she was encouraged by their positive attention and it gave her the confidence to pursue higher education.

As a result, Lacie, 18, plans to attend community college in Powell, Wyo. in the fall to get started on her general class requirements. Then, she hopes to transfer to Montana State University to study photography and film.

In July 2011, Lacie was one of 27 students who attended Student Assistance Foundation’s “A Step Ahead” College Prep Camp for Montana foster care youths at Carroll College in Helena.

Every year, SAF organizes the free, four-day camp at which foster youths are given the opportunity to experience college life firsthand. At the end of the camp, the youths each receive a laptop computer to take home.

Lacie said she particularly appreciated the help camp coordinators provided to her in completing her Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and application for assistance through the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program. The instruction she received in searching for scholarships was also useful.

Meeting other Montana foster youths while at the camp made Lacie realize she wasn’t alone in her ambitions.
“I was awestruck being with so many foster kids,” she said. “They know how I feel and we can vent and cry and understand each other. It’s awesome.”

According to Lacie, the most important lessons that she took away from the camp is to refrain from doubting herself or feel stupid about asking questions.

“If you’re doubting what you can do - find help,” she said. “Find people in the same situation and try to find resources together.”