my story

Rooks Nest, LLC started in September 2022 but was born in my heart in 2010. As a case manager, I worked with a 17 year old female, on the brink of aging out, who has been in foster care since 4 years old. During her after care meeting, someone stated, “just throw her back into detention.” I refused to allow that comment to be her fate. I advocated for her to be placed in a home setting for stability, new opportunity, and freedom from institutionalization. The search for housing was not only difficult due to her well-known challenging behaviors, her mental health symptoms and open sexual identity was not favorable. I finally found her a potential home that would accept her with stipulations. I was prepared to present her case only to be laid off 2 days before her court date. I was not able to take part in the decision that will help transition her into a home setting after she turned 18. I was heart broken to learn that she was discharged to another state hospital and was placed in jail less than a month afterwards. I thought if only there was a home for youth after foster care that not only offered a safe living space, but the tools to be stable, productive adults. I than vowed that I will aim to bridge the gap between homelessness and the lost of services after foster care by creating an company that offers programs, services and resources to all youth and young adults before and after aging out of foster care, including who identify as LGBTQ+ and individuals with mental health diagnoses. The ultimate goal of Rooks Nest, LLC is to offer a affordable and sustainable housing program that extends diverse and inclusive housing opportunities.