Annahlisa is a 20 year old African-American single mother, and a young woman who has benefited from the continuum of care offered by Sunny Hills Services’ East Bay division, Bay Area Youth Centers (BAYC). Annahlisa was first removed from her mother’s care and placed into foster care at the age of 13. She had a history of arrest, time in juvenile hall as well as psychiatric hospitalizations because she was unable to control her emotions and behavior. After multiple group homes and a failed reunification with her mother, Annahlisa was placed in one of BAYC’s two group homes for foster youth between the ages of fifteen and eighteen.

At BAYC, Annahlisa gained greater control over her feelings and verbally aggressive behavior, and received the support she needed to improve her time management and social skills. After six months, Annahlisa was accepted into BAYC’s transitional housing program, called Real Alternatives For Adolescents (RAFA). Living independently in an apartment with a roommate was a difficult transition for Annahlisa. She had become used to the consistency and round the clock care of group home staff. She struggled with her time management, often not getting herself to school on time or at all, and not attending the required meetings for the program.

Gradually, with the help of BAYC staff, Annahlisa learned to take greater responsibility for herself and her behavior began to shift. Annahlisa embarked on a journey to improve her life, and she developed some clear career goals. Motivated by this newfound energy and focus, she began to attend school regularly, formed positive peer relationships, and accessed the RAFA staff regularly for emotional support. She also learned to use calendars regularly to help her with her time management skills.

In May 2006, at the age of 17, Annahlisa found out she was pregnant. At that time, the RAFA program could not accommodate parenting teens and she had to exit the program a few months later, though she maintained regular contact with the BAYC staff. A little more than a year later, as a new mother of a baby girl, Annahlisa graduated from high school and emancipated from the foster care system. As a former foster youth, Annahlisa was eligible to apply to BAYC’s Supported Housing Program (SHP), her next step toward independence and adulthood.

Today, Annahlisa is living in her own apartment and is doing extremely well. She has a beautiful 20 month old daughter who is thriving, a stable job at Jamba Juice and she is attending Cal State East Bay’s Nursing program. She also continues to receive weekly therapy at BAYC. With the support of Bay Area Youth Centers, Annahlisa was able to tap into her own strengths and overcome the enormous challenges that life had presented her. She is living proof that, given the right resources and guidance, young people can turn their lives around and reach their goals.