The holiday season can be especially tough for current and former foster youth. Kathryn and her siblings are no exception.
When Kathryn was just 6 years old, she and her four siblings were removed from their parents’ care and placed in foster care. The family didn’t have much money, and all seven shared a studio apartment. Kathryn’s father had anger issues and was physically abusive to their mother.
“The sound of my mother sobbing would often wake me up in the middle of the night,” Kathryn says. The abuse finally stopped when her oldest sister Julie called the police.
Kathryn’s mother eventually regained care of Kathryn and her siblings, but this family history dimmed the usual shine of the holiday season for Kathryn’s family.
“After we were reunified, my mom tried to celebrate Christmas by putting up a tree and decorating, but it wasn’t the same anymore,” Kathryn explains. “Because we spent the holidays apart the year my parents got divorced and my siblings and I entered foster care, the ideal family holiday was shattered for us.
“I am so thankful to Orangewood for all the support they have given me to help me get to where I am today.”
“I remember as a child, I would love sitting in the car while my mom ran errands and staring at other family’s Christmas lights and decorations.”
The only Christmas presents Kathryn and her siblings received growing up were from Orangewood Foundation. To this day, her family does not celebrate holidays.
Today, with Orangewood’s financial assistance and guidance, Kathryn is a senior at UCLA, majoring in Asian Studies with a double minor in Global Health and Korean. She celebrates the holidays with her friends from school in lieu of celebrating with family.
Kathryn gives back to Orangewood when she can, including working as a Peer Mentor so she can help youth who are going through the same things she did when she was younger.
“I am so thankful to Orangewood for all the support they have given me to help me get to where I am today,” she says. “Orangewood Foundation is a blessing, not just during the holidays, but all year long.”
To learn more about how you can help youth like Kathryn this holiday season, visit www.orangewoodfoundation.org.
“Orangewood Foundation is a blessing, not just during the holidays, but all year long.”
