Cierra is a Seattle-based former foster youth with eight years of lived experience in the foster care system. During that time, Cierra lived in three group homes, two foster homes, and two kinship care placements and attended seven different schools. At the age of 21, Cierra’s case worker officially adopted her, finally giving Cierra the stability and support she needed to pursue her dreams. 

Cierra’s experience inside and outside of the system motivated her to work with youth aging out of foster care and, as a result, she decided to pursue a degree in Social Work. Cierra obtained her B.A. of Social Work from The University of Washington and will officially receive her Masters degree in Social Work this Summer. After completing her MSW, she plans to have a career working with foster youth. 

Before entering her graduate program, Cierra worked as a Supportive Housing Case Manager at Plymouth Housing, where she saw firsthand the massive overlap between foster care and both youth and adult homelessness. She also completed internships at Bailey Boushay House (a non-profit serving those with HIV/AIDS), at Amara, (a 401-k working on adoption reparations and fostering-to-adopt programs) and worked with foster youth at the Make It Happen Program in Washington State. 

Outside of work, Cierra enjoys spending time with close friends, traveling, trying new foods, camping, hiking, and art.