Brittany is 22 years old and has already suffered a lifetime of adversity. Her mother was incarcerated three times for varying lengths of time, and Brittany was put into foster care. At that point, Arkansas Voices for the Children Left Behind entered Brittany's life. Arkansas Voices staff brought Brittany to visit her mother on a monthly basis for three years. But Brittany's troubles continued. She changed foster homes several times, after frequently running away. Once she turned 18 and left foster care, Brittany was homeless, going from friend's homes to a relative's home. Her mother was once again in prison.
But Brittany knew there was a better life out there for her. She got her GED on the first try, without studying. Arkansas Voices helped to fund her return to school by providing her with a post-secondary school scholarship. She attended Pulaski Technical College, and now has a job and her own apartment. Brittany is even engaged to be married.
Brittany has been able to look back on her experience and find some lessons learned. "I was living on the streets and I thought that somebody would kill me", said Brittany. "But I am still standing and for what I have been through, I am cheerful. If you have a mom or dad locked up, it is not your fault, only theirs. Don't feel guilty for their mistakes. Get yourself some help."
"This young woman's resilience never seems to fail, and she is so articulate in her story and her love for her mother", says Dee Ann Newell, Executive Director of Arkansas Voices. "I have taken her to speak at national conferences, and she speaks powerfully on behalf of the children she represents and advocates on their behalf."
Arkansas Voices for the Children Left Behind helps many children such as Brittany. To learn more about the work of Arkansas Voices, please visit our website at www.arkansasvoices.org.
But Brittany knew there was a better life out there for her. She got her GED on the first try, without studying. Arkansas Voices helped to fund her return to school by providing her with a post-secondary school scholarship. She attended Pulaski Technical College, and now has a job and her own apartment. Brittany is even engaged to be married.
Brittany has been able to look back on her experience and find some lessons learned. "I was living on the streets and I thought that somebody would kill me", said Brittany. "But I am still standing and for what I have been through, I am cheerful. If you have a mom or dad locked up, it is not your fault, only theirs. Don't feel guilty for their mistakes. Get yourself some help."
"This young woman's resilience never seems to fail, and she is so articulate in her story and her love for her mother", says Dee Ann Newell, Executive Director of Arkansas Voices. "I have taken her to speak at national conferences, and she speaks powerfully on behalf of the children she represents and advocates on their behalf."
Arkansas Voices for the Children Left Behind helps many children such as Brittany. To learn more about the work of Arkansas Voices, please visit our website at www.arkansasvoices.org.
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