What's so special about me? Why me? Is this real? Can I call you Mom and Dad now? Questions my younger self used to ask. Yes, I was in the foster care system. Yes, I remember memories you would've expected me to forget because I was just a child. Yes, I was born into the dark part of the world against my will. No, I did not let that define who I am. Auburn, California is a place where when you first take a glance, you have to take a second look to see what's really going on. Behind the motel walls and into the bedroom where a little girl watches for the hundredth time her own mother being abused by one of her many boyfriends. A kind of place that at first glance you see a nice big family celebrating a birthday at the park but when you look again you realize, the men have guns and wear red, while the little girl behind the tree is trying to stay out of sight because she knows this is in fact, not a nice family. That little girl experienced the horrors of the evil that is in this world. She had to protect and care for her brothers from the day she came into this world. She never thought that getting out was an option. She had no idea. One day after school, she was taken to a random house and was told she would live there for a while. And she did. She ended up permanently living there at the age of 7 when she was adopted with her two brothers. She has a beautiful family now. A family that she does not have to fear or worry that they will hurt or abandon her. She still has a big family, 11 siblings to be exact. She is only 17 years old and has gone through more than many have in a lifetime. She has lost both of her fathers, been physically, mentally, and emotionally abused, and assaulted in more than one way. She has had to learn how to heal and trust. She has opened up to relationships other than her family, such as friendships and romance. As a result of all of this, her mindset has completely changed. Since she no longer has to be in survival mode, she now has another purpose in this world. She wants to help others that are or have experienced the same cruelty. That girl dreams of attending college soon and earning her bachelor's degree in criminal law. She then hopes to go to law school so she can pursue a career as a child advocacy attorney. She dreams of this because she is unbelievably passionate to save other children from those experiences. Even helping one child would ease her heart. She can save another child, just as she was. She can give children a chance to see the beauty and love in this world. She wishes to take away all of the evil in this world but, she is too familiar with reality. Regardless, she knows she will make a difference. She knows that it is her purpose to help others and if you give her the chance she will take it without hesitation. That girl is me. My name is Angelina Williams and I was in the foster care system. I know that my purpose is to open a whole new world to children in need of a better life.

A dream goal in my life is to impact positive change in others who have had less fortunate experiences in their life. Whether their experience is from homelessness, discrimination, any form of abuse, or financial debt, I would like to give someone the opportunity a new chance because at a young age I was also saved from abuse, homelessness, and unfortunate events. I would absolutely love to carry on the impact that was made in my life to another.