When Joey first started college, he was carrying more than the typical uncertainty about choosing a major or planning a career. Like many young people with foster care experience, he was navigating the transition to adulthood while building a support system, finding his footing, and beginning to shape the future he wanted for himself. But Joey had already begun building a foundation. In high school, he had connected with Pivotal and found a community of people who could support him as he planned for what came next. 

While a Pivotal scholarship helped ease the financial burden of pursuing higher education, Joey says the coaching and personal support he received is what made a truly lasting impact. His Pivotal coach, Monider, was a consistent and trusted source of encouragement and guidance. Joey recalls that every conversation with her felt warm, supportive, and judgment-free. “I was going through a lot as I started college," Joey shares.

"Just starting college is hard, trying to figure out what I wanted to study, plus I was managing some personal issues which caused a lot of anxiety. It was the first time I really had to deal with mental health challenges, and Monider was always there to listen, and help me figure out what I needed."

"She made it very clear that if I ever need anything, she's always there to help. And when things did get tough or I was unsure about something, I knew I could always reach out to her and get support.” 

That support extended beyond encouragement. When Joey decided he wanted to find a therapist, Monider helped him identify the type of support he was looking for and connected him with resources that could help. Pivotal's new Mental Health Fund made it possible for Joey to access therapy services that might otherwise have been financially out of reach. 

"I can't even explain how awesome it has been," Joey said when describing the impact therapy has had on his life. "It's helped me tremendously." 

The combination of coaching, financial assistance, and mental health support helped Joey build confidence during a critical period in his life. It also helped him start to see his experience in foster care differently. 

Before college, Joey rarely met anyone with a background similar to his own. Through organizations like Pivotal, Guardian Scholars, and Peninsula College Fund, he found a community that helped him recognize his story as a source of strength rather than something to hide. That shift in perspective became transformative. 

"I saw my experience in care as something that's actually empowering and something to be proud of," he says. 

As his confidence grew, Monider encouraged Joey to embrace opportunities that pushed him outside his comfort zone. He joined student government, took on leadership roles, gained professional experience through internships and service programs, and even studied abroad in Australia for five months. 

For Joey, Pivotal was never just a scholarship program. It was a source of guidance, community, encouragement, and support during moments when those things mattered most. 

Today, Joey works through Justice Corps, an AmeriCorps program based in the San Diego courthouse system, helping individuals who are navigating family law matters without legal representation. Every day, he guides people through complicated processes, explains legal options, and helps them access resources during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. 

The work feels personal. Having experienced the impact that supportive adults, advocates, and service organizations had on his own life, Joey is motivated by the opportunity to provide that same support to others. 

As he looks to the future, he’s considering law school, advocacy, or public service. While he isn’t sure exactly what’s next, he knows he wants to help support others in the way he was supported. 

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