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Alex G.
Knoxville, TN
Permanent connections and supportive people are vital to your well-being. Having someone to lean on during difficult times cannot be overemphasized. We all need someone to help us navigate life’s challenges and offer us the support we need to succeed.
Growing up in a dysfunctional household, I often felt like I had no one in my corner. I constantly teetered between thoughts of not feeling as though I had the right to fully express myself and feeling that nobody would care to listen. That changed when I got to high school. I was blessed to have a teacher who made it a point to make me feel that anything and everything I had to say was valid and essential.
Mrs. Smith was more than just a teacher to me; she was a second mother. She offered me a supportive and nurturing environment that I had never experienced before. She was always there to listen to me, guide me, and offer me words of encouragement. Her support helped me to find my voice and gave me the courage to advocate for myself in all areas of life.
Without Mrs. Smith’s support, I don’t know where I would be today. She helped me navigate some of the most challenging times in my life and gave me the tools I needed to succeed. She was and has continued to be a permanent connection in my life, and her support has been unwavering.
Having someone in your corner in the child welfare system can make all the difference. It can mean the difference between feeling helpless and hopeless and feeling empowered and capable. Permanent connections can be found in all areas of life, and I was fortunate enough to have found someone like Ms. Townley in mine.
It’s vital that we, as a society, work to ensure that every child has access to permanent connections and supportive people in their lives. We must work to create a system that prioritizes the well-being of children and provides them with the support they need to thrive. Circumstances make it difficult for youth in care to have the consistent interactions necessary to foster these meaningful connections but these relationships should be prioritized. Just one positive influence can make a difference in someone’s life. So, not only do I encourage everyone to seek out those special people in their lives, but I also want to stress how important it is to make yourself available to be that person for others.
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