My name is Deborah Israel, and at 25 years old, I carry a history that belies my age. Having aged out of the foster care system at 18, my journey has been anything but simple. The sheer number of placements I’ve experienced – a staggering 64 in total – speaks volumes about the instability I’ve faced. This constant upheaval contributes to a complex tapestry of experiences, woven with the threads of traumatic stress. Yet, amidst this challenging past, one thing remains constant: my resilience. It’s this very resilience, this unwavering spirit to persevere, that has allowed me to navigate such a tumultuous path and continues to help me help youth break generational curses.