2016 Heather Jacobson, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Heather Jacobson’s Experience at the FICE 33rd International Conference

After losing my father to cirrhosis of the liver from alcoholism at the age of 13 and having my mother put me in foster care at the age of 15 because “she didn’t want me anymore”, after being homeless twice and living in 4 different states, I have always known that I would change the lives of youth someday, but I never imagined that I would ever get an opportunity like the one the Martha Mattingly Scholarship gave me. After working for the State of California’s Foster Care Ombudsman’s office to ensure the rights of youth in foster care were upheld (while I, myself was in care), and working with California Youth Connection to advocate at a local and legislative level to improve the lives of those in care, I have found myself missing out on my true calling for the last decade or so. Forced to work retail positions and as a server to make ends meet has left me with a consistent roof over my head, but emotionally bereft. Though I finally found a position in my current state of residence, Indiana, as a child care worker in a group home for pregnant and parenting teens, it did not last long. I had finally found where I belonged again, and was truly fulfilled helping the girls and their children, but 8 months into my employment there, we lost our federal funding and the program had to be shut down.

I had found my calling once again though and was reminded of where I need to be. So although I am currently serving tables again to make ends meet, I am also halfway done with my BSW with a 4.0 GPA. About a year ago I was approached by The Journey with the opportunity to go to Vienna, Austria this year for the International Youth Workers Conference. Between working full-time and going to school full-time, I had no idea how I was going to pull it off, but I also knew that it was one of those things in life you cannot let pass you by. So I worked, I saved, and I sacrificed. Then, just when things were looking bleak, I was blessed with the Martha Mattingly Scholarship. This trip was life-changing for me. I have a fire and a passion in my heart and belly that keep me moving forward most days, but this trip reignited those flames for me.

There is a tragic gap between our system emancipating children at age 18, and them developing into fully functioning members of society, and I plan to bridge that gap someday. I want to open my own group home and/or transitional housing program for youth aging out of foster care one day. I want to give our youth the skills they need to be independent BEFORE emancipation, and continue to support them in their growth after it as well. I have worried every day that this may only be a pipe dream, but this trip to Austria opened my eyes not only to the realities of the challenges I will face, but also to the realities of the possibility of my dream. I met many different cultures and was able to get fresh new ideas from how they tackle their challenges, I was able to firmly grasp some of the realities I will be up against, but most importantly, I met a handful of people who can and want to help my dream become real. Knowledge and networking are two powerful tools, and thanks to being the 2016 Martha Mattingly Scholarship recipient, I was able to travel to Vienna, Austria and receive both. My dream is still a bit in the distance, but thanks to my life changing experience, I have been reminded it is never out of reach. I am going to change so many lives one day, and I could have never done it with the same passion, vigor, and support, that I will without this trip. Being the recipient of the 2016 Martha Mattingly Scholarship changed my life forever, but it is also going to positively impact the lives of countless youth for many years to come, and for that I am eternally grateful.