Meet Josie

After a tumultuous summer where she had to move twice in two months, Josie is finally settled in an apartment in Davis – although it is taking her heart and brain some time to catch up. 

“I’m actually going to be living here for a year, but it still feels like anything could happen,” she said. “I just haven’t gotten there mentally yet.”

Josie entered foster care at age 11 and soon after entered relative care, living with her aunt in Southern California until she was asked to leave at age 18. She was accepted at UC Davis and lived in the dorms while studying microbiology this past year. After her first year at UC Davis, she transferred to Woodland Community College, beginning classes last month. 

“I had a lot going on, and it was easier to just transfer to a community college,” she said. 

Unfortunately, the process of finding an apartment was more complicated than anticipated, causing her to move twice. Fortunately, she had joined the Yolo County Independent Living Program, which connected her to Make It Happen, so we were able to help her both times she moved when she could not bring all her furniture with her.

We were able to provide her with kitchen appliances, bathroom necessities, a couch and a bookshelf. The second time she moved, we helped her with more kitchen appliances, a sofa and a coffee table. 

“It was a really good experience,” Josie said. “I thought the people at Make It Happen would be more closed off, but they were just really nice and supportive.”

She said her sofa has meant the most to her so far, as have the kitchen appliances since she likes to cook. She also finds it comforting to see her kitten, Gaara, feeling settled after two moves. 

“It feels good and peaceful to have my own apartment,” she said. “I’ve been on my own for a long time, so I feel like I’m really mature for my age and it makes me feel independent to have my own space.” 

After her moves and transfer to a new school, Josie said she was off to a rough start, but she is doing better now.

“I kind of fell behind a few weeks ago because I had so much going on these past couple of months, so I couldn’t really focus on school,” Josie said. “But I’m finally all caught up. In my high school years, I had taken AP and honors classes, and those were actually harder.”