An inspiring new California program establishes trust accounts for certain foster youth | Opinion

As an immigrant and former foster youth, I have faced my set of challenges. Soon, Californians like me will get some much-needed financial help.

A new program, called HOPE Accounts, establishes trust accounts for foster youth and children who lost a parent to COVID. I am involved with a group of young people helping California design and implement this program — the largest “baby bond” program in the country. Based on legislation originally authored by former Senator Nancy Skinner, the money was allocated in the 2025-26 budget. Enrollment will start this year and accounts will be seeded in 2026.

Through HOPE, approximately 56,000 foster youth and children who lost a parent to COVID will receive access to an individual trust account with an estimated $4,500 dollars at the age of 18. The money will remain available until age 26.

Foster youth can use their accounts toward their education, a business, a home or another wealth-generating endeavor. They will also have the opportunity to engage in financial literacy training — something my peers and I feel is important.

I came to this country from El Salvador when I was 11 years old after my cousin was shot in front of his house. Gang shootings were prevalent in my neighborhood, and we couldn’t play outside. With my cousin’s murder, my parents decided I should join my father in the San Francisco Bay Area in search of a better, safer life. I didn’t really know him — he left when I was six months old — but it seemed like the only rational choice.

When I got here, things didn’t go well. I didn’t speak the language, so I had no friends, and I really missed my mother and grandmother who raised me.

The worst incident was an incident of abuse. When I told someone at school about it in confidence, my father was arrested in front of me and I was removed from his home and placed in foster care.

I became depressed. The language and cultural barrier proved difficult with my new foster family and with my attempts to understand the rules and customs of a new country. I always felt like an outsider, and I got involved with drugs and alcohol.

I was lucky that my second foster placement, when I was 14, was with a couple who are now in the process of adopting me. Six years later, I consider them my parents and they treat me like a daughter. But we had to work at it — we went to family therapy for years.

This summer, they came to El Salvador with me and met my mother, who I still talk to most days. It was one of the most beautiful moments in my life. They hugged, and my mother thanked them for taking care of me and giving me such a great experience after my difficult time living with my father. After 20 years, the people and parts of my life who made me who I am finally came together, and it gave me a sense of peace.

I am hardly alone when it comes to foster youth experiencing incredibly hard times. I also know that not every foster youth is as fortunate as I was to find a permanent, supportive family. It doesn’t surprise me, for example, that nearly one-fifth of adults in prison in the U.S. were in the foster system and 70% of youth who age out of foster care are arrested by age 26; or that foster youth are three times more likely to become homeless than other children.

In June, I will graduate from Berkeley City College and pursue a career in radiology. I am thankful that young people whose circumstances are similar to mine will benefit from the HOPE Accounts, giving them a real opportunity to pursue the American Dream.

This story was originally published February 5, 2025 at 6:00 AM.