Episode 59: Foster Care and Higher Education: One Man's Story of Beating the Odds

The statistics for youth who age out of foster care receiving a college degree are extremely disheartening—fewer than 5% finish a secondary education. Royce Markley beat the odds—as a child, he was in and out of foster care, eventually aging out of the system. His childhood was a roller coaster of emotions and situations, including times when his mom was doing what she needed to do to keep her kids to various foster care situations to several near adoptions, until an older couple offered him and his brother something they had never had before: stability. Royce’s story of frustration and determination to accomplish his goals, get his college degree and make a difference in the foster care community will inspire you!

"I had a 'do what you’ve got to do mentality,' which included disconnecting from my emotions, not trusting anyone, believing everything was temporary and refusing to get attached. It wasn’t always true, but it hurt less when it was."

--Royce Markley