Crossing the finish line, Garrett’s college dream fulfilled
Garrett entered his senior year of high school with the goal of attending college. However, the prep track-and-field athlete needed assistance in getting over some hurdles to reach his goal of post-secondary education and an opportunity to run track in college.
He became a part of LifeSet, which is called Transitional Supports for Emerging Adults (TSEA) in Connecticut.
When LifeSet was added to Connecticut jurisdictions, it brought a service to the state designed to make the passage to adulthood from foster care smoother for young people, like Garrett. Through a public/private partnership between the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Youth Villages, the LifeSet program launched in Connecticut in late 2019. LifeSet services are offered by two local providers — Wheeler Health and Community Health Resources — and are available in roughly two-thirds of the state.
LifeSet helps foster youth set their own goals and achieve them. Some youth require intensive support to reach their goals. For others, LifeSet provides small pushes and assistance.
Garrett’s lived experience produced a steep climb to reach goals
At age 15, Garrett went to live with one of his aunts for about a year and then went to live with another aunt for a few months until he entered foster care at age 17.
“My aunts didn’t know how to deal with the court stuff and getting me prepared for college,” Garrett said. “I had to go into foster care.”
The foster home provided Garrett with a safe space to stay, but he still needed assistance for his journey to attend college.
“My foster experience is good, but when we discussed college, we only talked about applying to schools,” Garrett said. “I needed more support like researching financial assistance opportunities and applying for scholarships.”
That’s when the foster care caseworker had an answer for Garrett’s hurdles and referred him to LifeSet through Wheeler Health, a nonprofit community-based agency providing primary care and behavioral health services across Connecticut.
LifeSet, Wheeler Health gives support for journey to college
After the referral, a get-acquainted meeting was set up in October of 2023. Garrett and Danielle Winkler, his LifeSet lead specialist, hit it off and began planning his next steps for college.
“Garrett was very easy to work with from the start, laid back,” Danielle said. “It was easy to work with him because he’s so productive. One day we did his résumé, and another day we wrote a testimonial. He’s a ‘go-getter.’”
Danielle and Garrett began the process of applying to colleges in December. They researched which schools had the fields of study in which he was interested and where he could continue to run track. Danielle helped Garrett research scholarship and financial aid opportunities and navigate the process. Since sending off his applications, Garrett has received four college acceptance letters. “We applied to schools and scholarships over a few sessions,” Danielle said.
While going through the college application process, Danielle offered assistance and advice to Garrett on his other goals, such as signing up for driving school, earning his driver’s permit, opening a bank account and receiving a debit card.
LifeSet is great for me. Danielle asked me what I wanted to get done. I already had a list made and was ready to go. Meeting Danielle once a week made it a lot easier to get a lot more done.
While Garrett had his list in order, LifeSet was there to help provide another voice on his journey.
“It was just having an extra adult for Garrett to talk to, bounce ideas off of,” Danielle said. “Our program for youth works well because it is youth driven. For Garrett, the program provided the emotional support he needed. He had another adult guiding him through this time other than a parent or caseworker. It’s the support that LifeSet offers.”
In addition to applying to colleges, Garrett has become an advocate for programs like LifeSet in school and around the state of Connecticut. For his English class, Garrett is writing a paper on the challenges youth in foster care are facing in these times.
“I’m writing about youth like me going through the state foster care system and how it affects them afterward, and Danielle is providing me with resources from a class she is taking,” Garrett said.
Outside school, Garrett serves on a state Youth Advisory Board that meets once a month. He makes trips across the state sharing his experience in LifeSet. On one occasion, Garrett was invited to meet the governor at a dinner and reception. He also provided in-person testimony to the state legislature in February of 2024, advocating for continued funding for the program.
“He’s getting his name out there, doing things like this,” Danielle said. “I knew this was going to be good for him. He’s been taking every opportunity that’s come his way.”
Garrett’s plans include studying psychology, criminology or forensics in college, looking toward a career in the FBI. And while Garrett has his eyes on the future, he’s aware of how far he’s come with the help of LifeSet and continues to share his story of his experience with other youth in the state.
“I’ve been able to get a lot done since coming into LifeSet,” Garrett said. “It helps you with important things that you’re going to need for the rest of your life. LifeSet has been helpful, and I’ve been able to achieve my goals. I see the merits of programs like LifeSet, so if there is any way I can help, I will.”
For more information on LifeSet, go to youthvillages.org/lifeset.
About Wheeler Health
Wheeler provides comprehensive solutions that address complex health issues, providing individuals, families and communities with accessible, innovative care that encourages health, recovery, and growth at all stages of life. Our integrated approach to primary and behavioral health, education, and recovery creates measurable results, positive outcomes, and hopeful tomorrows for more than 60,000 individuals across Connecticut each year. Learn more: WheelerHealth.org.
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