When I was in middle school, I learned that my family wasn't really my Family. Sure, I was biologically related to them, but many of them I had no connection with. I did not view my mother as a mom, because she never preformed as one. Same for my father and grandfather. As early as sixth grade I began to refer to my mother by her first name instead of what she should have been to me. Eventually, at the age of thirteen, I was kicked out of my house and left to fend for myself. I stayed at my best friend's house while CPS was contacted, and we all knew the next step was most likely a foster home. We went through the process of speaking with social workers and trying to create the best case scenario for myself. This continued for months until, on Christmas Eve of 2020, the case was closed in favor of my family. I was once again left with no idea where I would go or how I would be cared for. At this point, I had been at the Batts' home for five months, and they decided they were in a comfortable enough position to take me in. They managed to get into contact with my father who I had no spoken to in the past three years and compromised a signing of temporary guardianship until I am eighteen. I got very lucky to be in a position like this, and am still incredibly grateful to have the chance. While it may be different in other places, I know that as a child in Louisiana I was not properly looked after and taken care of by the foster and CPS systems of Louisiana. This is something that has stuck with me since the first CPS case filed against my family in elementary school. I am a first-hand example of the treatment of children in this state, and have made it my life goal to do what I can to protect children like me. I plan to attend college and become a teacher, while continuing to pursue a degree in psychology. I want to be able to speak with children one-on-one in an environment where they would feel comfortable enough talking to me and I'd be able to observe any tale-tell signs of neglect and abuse that were glanced over so easily for me. Every child deserves to be protected, and while I might not be able to do that much, I can do as much as I can in my community to be there for them and provide support with the knowledge I've gained from my experience in college. By bettering my knowledge and myself as a person, I hope to be able to improve the lives of all of the next generations to come.