The following is an email from Sofia Thayer, a foster youth who was an advisor for My Girlfriend’s Closet at the very early stages. Her determination to overcome the adversities in her life and the stories she shared with our girls about her personal situation were so inspirational when we were first starting up. Sofia was an excellent student at Patrick Henry High and a cheerleader who suddenly became a foster child. She helped us understand what it was like to be a part of the foster system and that many foster girls were just like our girls except they were the victims of situations beyond their control… and they were girls who had hopes and dreams. Sofia is one of the success stories of this system. She is an amazing, tenacious and smart young lady with an incredible future …..and she continues to impress us.
From Sofia:
So proud of what MGC has become and the organization continues to grow! Honestly warms my heart and I smiled the entire duration of the video 🙂 I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of this amazing project as both a volunteer and recipient…It was wonderful, caring people like you that inspired me to give back to my community (specifically foster youth) – serving on several advisory boards/councils to volunteering with more nonprofits and now in law school interning with (Chief) Judge Bashant in the Dependency/Delinquency Department at Superior Court, working at the Center for Public Interest Law – Children’s Advocacy Institute, taking Reiki classes on Saturdays so that I can heal foster youth with bioenergy, and working to start a workshop series on health (nutrition, stress reduction/management, etc.) at Just in Time. I became overwhelmed with anger while in the foster care system and lost faith in humanity (not exaggerating) but it was people like you that showed me how caring people really are and I have been able to heal by following your example helping other foster youth. Thank you all so much – I have no words to express what your kindfulness has done in my life.
Very truly yours,
Sofia A. Thayer
JD/MBA Candidate
University of San Diego