One Step at a Time: Jasmine’s 15-Year Journey with Foster Forward

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Fifteen years ago, Jasmine walked through the doors of Foster Forward for the first time. As a teenager in Rhode Island’s foster care system, she had spent years in a group home before moving in with her grandmother through kinship care. Even then, stability still felt far away.

Left to right: Lisa, Jasmine, and Vicki. Pictured at Foster Forward’s 2024 Gala.

“Before Foster Forward, my life was very unstable,” she shared. “I didn’t know how to build a future for myself. I had no role models, no guidance, and no idea what was possible.”

Her grandmother discovered Foster Forward’s life skills classes, and Jasmine and her brother began participating. From there, she entered the YESS Program—a housing initiative that provided both independence and structure, giving her the stability that had been missing for so long.

“It was the first time I had my own place, my own space,” she said. “It taught me responsibility. It taught me how to be an adult—how to budget, how to pay rent, how to manage my life.”

But housing was just the beginning. Jasmine also found encouragement, connection, and opportunity. She joined the Youth Board, eventually becoming its president, and took on leadership roles that stretched far beyond what she imagined was possible.

She helped organize statewide events, including a dress drive and fashion show for foster youth and a 5K that used running as a metaphor for personal growth and resilience. She collaborated with youth across New England to shape child welfare policy and advocated at the State House for initiatives like the Sibling Bill of Rights. These experiences became a turning point in how she saw herself.

“Foster Forward gave me a voice. They encouraged me to speak up—not just for myself, but for others too,” Jasmine said. “I didn’t just find stability—I found confidence. I found leadership. I found my power.”

For Jasmine, what set Foster Forward apart wasn’t just the programs—it was the people. Mentors like Lisa and Vicki helped her feel seen, heard, and believed in.

“They really devote themselves to individuality and individual goals,” she said. “Each person can start a plan to achieve them through the people that you meet there. It starts with role models—but it morphs into family.”

Even now, at 33, Jasmine remains connected to that support system. She’s technically aged out of most formal programming, but when she and her brother lost their family home and she found herself in crisis again, she knew exactly who to call.

“When I needed help finding a new apartment, Lisa and Vicki were there for me. That kind of support doesn’t just go away—it’s lifelong.”

With their help, Jasmine found a new place to live and secured a new job with better pay and stronger growth opportunities. While Foster Forward didn’t get the job for her, the self-advocacy skills she developed through years of programming helped her build the confidence to step into this next chapter.

“I learned how to stand up for myself and others at Foster Forward. That’s a skill I take into my work every single day.”

Now working as a negotiating paralegal, Jasmine continues to lead—just in a new space. And she still reflects on how those early experiences shaped the woman she is today.

“I work in law now, and I’m always advocating for my clients. That’s something I really think I learned from advocating on behalf of youth in foster care. Foster Forward helped me realize I had a voice—and that it mattered.”

Jasmine also highlighted how critical barrier assistance was to her long-term stability—especially during moments of mental health and medical crisis. Whether it was help with utility bills, car repairs, or accessing essential care, she shared how much those resources impacted her ability to stay on track.

“They say finances have such a hold on your life—and they do. Barrier assistance, especially when you’re dealing with mental health or medical issues, gives you the ability to focus on healing and not just surviving. I don’t know where I’d be without that help.”

Today, as Foster Forward celebrates its 30th anniversary, Jasmine’s journey is a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Hers is a story not just of transformation but of long-term impact—of what happens when young people are supported for the long haul, not just in a moment of crisis.

“They say it just takes one good adult to change a young person’s life. Foster Forward wasn’t just one good adult—it was an organization full of them.”

From her first apartment to her latest career move, from speaking at the State House to advocating at the negotiation table, Jasmine’s path hasn’t always been easy—but it’s been hers.

“Even when things felt impossible, they reminded me—just take it one step at a time.”