Two Foster Care Stories, One Constant

Two real stories to celebrate National Foster Care Month

In honor of National Foster Care *Month, we are sharing day-in-the-life stories from the Treehouse community. These stories are about all the ways Treehouse makes a difference for youth in foster care so they can thrive.***

After receiving a degree in psychology from Washington State University, Jeniece Driver has been in the child welfare game for a number of years. She’s run art therapy groups, been a group home manager, been a paraprofessional/behavior rehabilitation manager at a K–12 inpatient ranch, and more. For nearly 4 years, she’s been a Treehouse Education Specialist serving the Tri-Cities area.

Jeniece drives from school to school, meeting with students on her caseload weekly to check in and keep them on whatever track they’re building for themselves. “I’ve had the profound honor of working with some truly remarkable young people,” says Jeniece. “They’ve faced obstacles that would cause even the strongest adults to feel defeated. And yet, they chose to fight—breaking through barrier after barrier to earn their high school diplomas and GEDs. Their resilience, tenacity, and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on my heart.”

For National Foster Care Month, here are two stories from Jeniece’s time as a Treehouse Graduation Success Education Specialist.

1. Always Show Up

“A student had a history of intense anger outbursts, which led to constant home placement changes, new schools, and losing hard-won academic ground. This student also endured long periods of homelessness and traumatic experiences. With every move, they lost their phone—our only means of communication. But somehow, they always found a way to reach me.

In their senior year, after turning 18, they opted to finish school online. Something clicked. They thrived in that environment. Through sheer will and credit retrieval programs, they graduated on time and walked with their class. They proudly became the first in their family—and the only person they knew—to ever graduate from high school.

They told me: ‘Jeniece, you always show up when you say you’re going to. . . . You’re real with me. You listen. You actually give a sh*t.’”

2. Never Give Up

“Another student witnessed parents struggle with addiction, experienced food insecurity, and too early, they became a caretaker to younger siblings. When their grandparents became their caregivers, they began to flourish. Cheerleading became a true passion—it was their heart, purpose, and identity.

Starting in senior year, their world came crashing down: a beloved cousin passed away; they suffered a career-ending knee injury; a rift with their grandparents caused them to move out; they faced two miscarriages; and then their grandfather passed away.

Through all of this grief and pain, they never gave up on themselves. This student enrolled in online school and worked part-time. They not only earned their high school diploma, but also graduated on time with honors.

When they found out, they said: ‘I never thought this was even an option for me. I always thought only super-smart kids did that—and I never thought I was smart.’”

“These students teach me what true strength looks like,” says Jeniece. “I am forever grateful to have walked a part of their journey with them. I will always remember them, and not just for their struggles. I’ll remember a radiant smile while trying on prom dresses, or the pure disbelief in their eyes when they held their high school diploma. I’ll remember them for their courage and proving to themselves that they are capable, worthy, and unstoppable.”