Hi, my name is Brandy Barrett, I was just another kid lost in the state’s custody. I was taken into custody at the age of 7.

After, multiple attempts at reunification were unsuccessful due to sexual and physical violence in my home. I was left to navigate the foster care system as a kid. When I was taken into custody I was placed in a safe house, separated from my younger sister and brother, and taken to a different city. As you can imagine this was very scary where mixed feelings of gratitude and fear consumed me. I was in custody of the state from the age of 7 until I was 18 yrs.

During this time, I had over 35 different placements. It was not because I was a hard child, but because of the lack of foster homes and shelters. The state had a rule that you could only stay in shelters for 30 days at a time.  Without notice I would have a social worker come and move me to a new place. Starting over was something I got comfortable with. 

One day, when I was 17 years old and while riding the bus I crossed paths with a friend, I told her how I had considered dropping out of high school so I could work full-time. She was attending the YDI – GED courses and told me that I should try and talk to the instructor to see if I could get a GED. I walked into YDI straight off the bus to get information on the GED program. Tony Robinson, a man with a white beard and mustache came out and asked, “how can I help you?” I told him I was dropping out of high school, and I was wondering how I could get a GED. I also told him; I had recently been living on the streets and got my first apartment so I needed to work so I could not stay in school. Tony, who was the GED instructor, had me follow him back to a classroom area where he was eating his lunch. He must’ve seen that I was hungry and gave me some of the food from his lunch box. While sitting there, I devoured the sandwich. Tony was asking lots of questions. Then he asked if I would take a test for him. I said yes, not knowing this test was going to change my future. As soon as I finished taking the test, he had me sit there and wait while he looked over it. Then he looked up over his glasses and said, “I think you’re ready, kiddo”. I didn’t understand what he meant so I looked at him puzzled and he said, “come back next week, I want you to take the GED test.” I went back the following week and took the test and passed it with flying colors.

I was so excited to have my GED. This would open new doors for me. YDI even held a graduation ceremony for those of us who passed the test.  I never really knew what YDI did until that pivotal time in my life. But, while I was at the YDI office, I saw a familiar face, it was Diane Lopez. She was a shelter director and would frequently visit the YDI and Other shelters where I lived. Diana would watch over the kids and staff and was always so nice and welcoming to me. She took time to get to know me and she would see me, I mean really see me! I don’t know if you’ve ever walked through a period of life not being seen, it’s lonely. Even just eye contact and a smile would mean the world. Diana would see me. She always took time to talk to me, give me the best hugs and she had the best laugh. She was so warm and caring, to me, Diana was safe. 

The YDI GED and Shelter programs changed the trajectory of my life, allowing me to go to college and obtain a degree in nursing. I just needed somebody to believe in me and YDI saw me and believed in me. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to have YDI see and encourage me. I would not have been able to become the person that I am today without their support. I was lost but with the help of YDI, I was found.  It just takes one person to make the difference in a child’s life.