As a former foster youth, Rosa faced challenges that could have easily derailed her educational goals. The loss of a family member, housing instability, mental health struggles, and the responsibilities of parenthood all arrived during critical moments in her journey. Yet through it all, she kept returning to the same commitment: continue moving forward. For Rosa, success means recognizing how far she’s come and the determination that brought her to where she is now. 

Rosa is currently studying psychology at San José City College, planning to graduate early in spring 2027 with both an Associate of Arts and an associate degree for Transfer. After graduation, she has her sights on a bachelor’s degree in psychology at UC Berkeley (her first choice) or another four-year university.  

Support Along the Way 

Rosa began college several years ago but stepped away after the tragic loss of her nephew. When she eventually returned, she promised herself that life's difficulties wouldn’t define what she could achieve. Gone are the failing grades and class withdrawals from earlier semesters; today, she's proud to be earning mostly A's and B's. 

"The obstacle I'm most proud of overcoming is returning to school and staying in school," Rosa shares.  

Support from Pivotal helped provide stability during some of the most challenging moments throughout her journey. Rosa was nearing the age limit for the Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THP-Plus), which provides housing and support to young adults who have left foster care. As she prepared to move into independent housing, financial pressures threatened her family’s stability. Pivotal helped connect her with resources that eased the transition and allowed her to remain housed while also continuing her education. When she encountered difficulties with a landlord, her Pivotal coach helped her navigate available advocacy and legal support resources. When challenges arose involving her daughter, Pivotal staff helped her identify resources and advocate for her family.  

For Rosa, the support went beyond solving immediate problems. While she could always rely on her coach to answer calls, respond to messages, and help her work through next steps when she faced school, housing, and family challenges, she also strengthened her ability to advocate for herself and face the next challenge with confidence. 

Healing for Herself and Her Daughter 

Mental health has also been a central part of Rosa's journey. She openly acknowledges the impact that trauma has had on her life and describes healing as an ongoing process rather than a finished destination. Over time, she has learned to view her experiences not as limitations but as evidence of her resilience. Rather than letting the challenges she faced define who she is, Rosa has worked to recognize how far she has come despite them.  

Much of her motivation comes from two people: her late mother and her daughter. 

Rosa often thinks about making her mother proud and carrying forward the values she learned growing up. At the same time, she wants her daughter to see that circumstances do not determine what a person can achieve. 

Rosa Quote

As she looks ahead, Rosa's goals are focused on building stability for her family. That includes getting her degree, but she also wants to begin the process of purchasing a home and eventually create a nonprofit organization that serves people affected by foster care. Inspired by the gaps in support she experienced in her own life, she wants future generations to have access to the resources and support they need to thrive.  

When asked what advice she would give her younger self, Rosa's answer is simple: use the resources available, take mental health seriously, and keep trying. That message reflects the same determination that continues to carry her forward today. 

Through loss, uncertainty, and countless obstacles, Rosa has remained committed to building the future she envisions for herself and her family. And with every class completed, every challenge overcome, and every goal reached, she is proving that resilience is not about avoiding hardship. It's about refusing to let hardship have the final word.