"Finding Home: A Foster Youth Story" chronicles the lives of four young adults as they navigate the transition from foster care to life on their own.
SUMMER
Summer is a 17-year old transgender girl who grew up in foster homes and whose primary goal is to be adopted by a family who accepts her. Summer is an eternal optimist and although she has been dealt multiple blows she has not lost her inner strength or determination.
With help from Sam, her Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Summer navigates her gender transition, bullying, school work and dream of becoming a dancer. Sam, the most important person in her life, helps her gain a sense of self-respect and responsibility.
GLORIANNA
Glorianna is a 20-year old graphic novelist, artist, writer, YouTuber and budding animator. Glorianna finds herself moving to a transitional living apartment following years of living in a residential care facility with hundreds of other girls.
With her new independence comes the responsibilities and challenges of finding a job, paying the bills, going to school, feeding herself and finding more permanent housing.
KALONJI AND JALONI
Kalonji and Jaloni are 19-year-old twin brothers born into a large close-knit family living in extreme poverty.
The boys were placed in foster care at age 12 and after living in numerous foster homes, found a loving and supportive foster family.
Through the guidance of their foster family, both boys learned to trust others, excel in school and athletics and, in August, began college on full scholarships.
Jaloni, a state champion track and field athlete, is training to be in the Olympics while Kalonji is studying criminal justice.
They remain close to their birth family, and view them and their foster family as one large extended family.
Watch On Your Schedule:
This film is available to stream on demand through December 2020.
The film is part of PBS SoCal’s social impact initiative To Foster Change, aimed at inspiring change in the realities and life outcomes of Southern California’s foster youth through community discourse and powerful storytelling.
To Foster Change presents 22 additional video clips available to view on PBS SoCal's website.
Credits:
Presented by PBS SoCal and New Moon Pictures. Writer: Pamela Tom. Director/ Producer: Brenda Brkusic. Executive Producer; Karen Hunte, Executive Producer. Associate ProducerL Michelle Merker.
