Through the highs and lows, 24 youth achieved milestones!
Our LifeCoaches serve youth ages 16 to 24 across Missouri, and this year we had 24 youth graduate from high school or college. The teens and emerging adults who enter our positive development programs have demonstrated resilience and dedication.
We’re inspired, and we’re confident you will be, too, as you read their stories.
– During Madeline’s* senior year, she delivered a baby, learned to be a new mom, and graduated high school. She dealt with court cases and placement changes while in care. Later, Madeline exited care. She got full custody of her son, secured a job, and saved up to buy a car. She is a rockstar! Madeline plans to continue working and saving money for a down payment on a house, so she and her son have stability.
– When Avery* graduated, she was the second person in her family to get a high school degree. She went from having difficult relationships and changing schools halfway through high school to learning boundaries and how to walk away from unhealthy friendships. Through coaching, she learned how to set goals for herself and achieve them. She realized no one could do the hard things for her. Instead, she learned she has the capacity to chase her own dreams. Avery worked hard to graduate and graduated a year early. She currently works locally and plans to attend cosmetology school, hoping to instill confidence and worth in her clients someday.
– While raising her baby, Ellie* finished high school. Like many moms, the first few months adjusting to being a mom were difficult. Her high school worked with her to ensure she could graduate, which she thought would never happen when she got pregnant. As she learned through coaching, she knows what it takes to break negative generational cycles. She takes the lessons to heart and has been working to communicate better with her partner, who also meets with an I Pour Life LifeCoach, and they are both determined to raise their daughter in the most healthy environment possible. Ellie is such a great mom and is even working on using the positive self-talk she learned through coaching with her daughter so she hears healthy language around her.
– Even though Greg* isn’t sure what he wants to do with his life, he finds fulfillment in helping others. We’re excited to see Greg thrive in his next chapter!
– Amanda* and Claire* are both working to finish their HiSet tests. Amanda hopes to regain custody of her daughter and works full-time while pursuing her CNA license. Claire graduated while pregnant and working. She wants to further her education but plans to deliver a healthy baby and figure out how to be a working young mom doing it solo. Thankfully they both have built great support systems with their foster families and identified local resources.
– Reagan* plans to attend Moberly Area Community College to earn his associate degree, then study psychology and eventually become a licensed therapist. His goal is to possibly become a psychiatrist because he believes there is a strong need for caring psychiatrists in the field. He wants to help others overcome their diagnoses and live fulfilling lives.
– Indie* will study unmanned aviation at a technical institute in Missouri.
– Hannah* has mostly had to take care of herself since 16. Without the support of her mom, she has had to figure out a lot of life on her own. Even though she has had many hardships, Hannah graduated high school and is now enrolled at Missouri State University. Hannah plans to live on campus and get her degree in elementary education and wants to be a third-grade teacher. She hasn’t given up and continues to dream about a better future. She actively takes steps toward that dream. Hannah has also chosen to heal her past and asked for help getting into therapy so her past doesn’t slow her down in college. I Pour Life helped her quickly find a counselor and she has started meeting regularly.
– Paige* came into the program ready to make a change in her life. She set goals for herself to increase her confidence level, become more comfortable around people she didn’t know (particularly males), and try to involve herself more within her school. She succeeded in every goal she created.
During her first time at Social Capital Club, she almost had to leave because males were present, and this made her extremely nervous due to past trauma. Now she attends Social Capital Club with overwhelming confidence. She participated in band, FFA, FBLA, a local library group, and a local pageant. She also connected with the youth group in her church.
Sadly, Paige suffered the loss of her grandfather a few weeks before he was scheduled to adopt her. She is taking steps to process this while making progress in her life. She has a job, drives, and has a goal to save $10,000 before she gets to college. She’s well on her way to meeting that savings goal. Paige plans to attend Truman University to become a nurse, and we couldn’t be more proud.
– Trista* graduated high school and started an internship through Flourish. I Pour Life nominated her for the internship, and we’re excited to cheer her on. Trista currently serves as a receptionist. She has secured housing for this fall and will attend the culinary program at Ozark Technical School.
– Riley* spent most of her teen years in foster care. She struggled with her mental health at times, keeping her from not being able to attend school or jobs. Once she started coaching with I Pour Life, Riley made her mental health a priority and started putting in the work. Through coaching she increased her confidence.
Her LifeCoach, Katie, helped her tour and enroll at Paul Mitchell — it was her dream to work in a salon one day. Riley had days where she wanted to give up but Katie kept encouraging her to keep going. She did not let her anxieties stop her from completing the program. Ten months later, she graduated and plans to take her licensing exam soon and apply for jobs. Since being coached, she has been able to move out of her foster family placement and get her own apartment. We are so proud of her for not giving up on her dreams and focusing on improving her life. She is full of confidence, and it radiates from her.
Thank you for celebrating these incredible youth with us! To help us continue serving older, at-risk, exploited, and foster youth ages 16 to 24 across Missouri, consider volunteering or making a one-time or monthly gift.
