Former Foster Youth Turns Pain into Purpose Through Memoir and More

For one former foster youth, turning pain into purpose is the motivation for everything she does.

Today, Briana T. Perkins is a college graduate, substance abuse counselor and author. But those are things she never thought she would accomplish when she entered the foster care system at the age of 15.

“That transition was extremely difficult for me,” said Perkins. “To go into places unknown to me and live with another family — learning how they learn, talking how they talk, everything was new.”

Perkins said she carried a lot of shame around being in foster care and realized she was not alone in that sentiment when she entered a girls’ group home.

“I didn’t realize that I would recognize other faces,” she said. “There were people there that I went to school with that I had no knowledge were in foster care. I can vividly remember that my younger brother’s teacher’s daughter was there. And that was shocking to me because when you are younger, you think of teachers as perfect. They are these educators molding our youth and her child was there. That’s when I realized that I was now part of this silent — or silenced — group.”

A Transition to Adulthood

When she turned 19, Perkins entered Wellpoint Care Network’s Youth Transitioning to Adulthood (YTA) program. With the program’s support, she was able to live independently and attend school.

“I have two associate’s degrees — one in Addiction Studies and one in Human Services,” she said. “I have various licenses, but the one I’m currently using is my substance abuse counselor license. I am also currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay to obtain my degree in criminal justice. And then after that, I plan on getting a PhD in political science.”

The support and funding assistance she received through Wellpoint Care’s YTA program was so crucial to Perkins’ journey that she also became President of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), a group that consists of former and current youth in the foster care system who provide a voice for all foster care youth in Wisconsin.

“I started really pushing to get the age extended for funding,” added Perkins. “Because when you don’t have support or anywhere to go, jail or prostitution is too often where foster youth turn.”

Perkins also found comfort in being around other individuals with similar experiences.

“It allowed me to be able to listen to my peers and realize that I wasn’t alone,” she said. “A lot of times people climb up the social ladder and pull it up behind themselves. But as a group, we were trying to extend it a little bit and pull others up with us.”

FOR THE LOVE OF LIMERENCE

Now in her early 20s, Perkins can also add author to her resume, writing and publishing a memoir earlier this year.

“For the Love of Limerence was actually my cry for help when I wrote it,” she said. “I was tired of carrying the shame. I had always been ashamed that I had been assaulted, I was ashamed that I had been abused. I felt like there was a scarlet letter on my back and that I was labeled as a bad person. Eventually, I said, ‘Why am I protecting these individuals? If they are comfortable in their actions, then I should feel comfortable talking about these things that happened to me.’ I had never had an outlet for my anger, but I couldn’t hold it in any longer. This book was a homecoming — there is a piece of me on every page.”

A second book is already in the works.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

Through her schooling, Perkins is also working to follow her passion for creating lasting change.

“It is my hope to become a policy analyst,” she said. “Reform is needed in the criminal justice system for black and brown people, marginalized groups of people all over the world, and most especially children and families who are struggling with addiction, which was very prevalent in my life.”

Her message to children currently in foster care is to never give up.

“I know you feel alone, but you’re not alone,” said Perkins. “The pain you’re experiencing will give you purpose later. Open up a little bit, trust a little bit, and let one person in — it might be the thing that saves your life, because it was the thing that saved mine. At my darkest hour, YAC came to me. And it is the reason that I am successful today, because that one person listened to me.”

As Wellpoint Care Network celebrates 175 years of service and impact, we’re creating pathways to a thriving tomorrow — for children, families and communities across Wisconsin.

YOU can be part of this important mission. Consider becoming a foster parent or donating to support crucial programs like YTA. With your support, more young adults like Briana will continue to overcome the statistics and make a positive impact in our community.