Elizabeth is a leader and advocate who refused to let her circumstances control her life.
When Elizabeth was 15 years old, her adoptive grandmother passed, leaving her without a legal guardian as she had no relatives able to fully care for her. Elizabeth had been adopted out of the foster care system and was reluctant to return.
Elizabeth stayed temporarily with an older sibling. During this time, she insisted on staying enrolled in her school. Though she was much further away now, this would provide her with a sense of stability. LCYC and Elizabeth’s therapist partnered with Elizabeth to advocate for her to remain enrolled under the McKinney Vento law. Working with her school’s McKinney-Vento program, Elizabeth and her support team ensured she had transportation and the support she needed. All the while, Elizabeth continued to grieve her grandmother. This loss was not easy and sometimes impacted Elizabeth’s school performance. Elizabeth knew how important it was to address her grief and mental health and worked hard to do so. Collaborating with her school, Elizabeth also brought her grades back up.
Along with addressing her school needs, Elizabeth had to figure out where she would be living long term. Elizabeth worked with her support team – a therapist, housing case manager, and attorney – to make a plan for housing. Elizabeth thought carefully about her options: emancipation, foster care, guardianship, or going into a shelter. She wasn’t just thinking about herself, she was also considering the needs of her younger brother.
Elizabeth thought about the caring adults she had throughout her life and reconnected with a former teacher from elementary school, Nina. Elizabeth and Nina began to build a strong connection through regular visits and carpooling to school together, really hitting it off. Nina soon became someone in Elizabeth’s corner who supported her, protected her, provided boundaries, and cheered her on. Nina also became Elizabeth’s guardian temporarily, until Elizabeth felt ready to pursue independence.
Elizabeth is now an activist for young people who have gone through similar experiences – young people who have been in foster care or who are considered unaccompanied without anyone who can care for them or consent for their basic needs. Elizabeth uses her experience and expertise to speak up for youth like her. She has advocated for young people through Youth Advisory Boards, through testimony in WA State Legislature, and even worked with Senator Patty Murray’s office to highlight the need for mental health support for young people. Elizabeth’s testimony can be seen around the 10-minute mark in this video.