Aidan is a student at North Carolina State University with a clear vision for his future. He’s balancing school, work and preparing for life after graduation. On the surface, it’s a typical college experience. But Aidan’s path to this point has been anything but typical.

Growing up in a small town in western North Carolina, Aidan faced challenges most young adults never imagined. He and his younger sister were raised in a low-income household where both parents struggled with substance abuse. From a young age, Aidan took on the role of caretaker, working underage on a family farm to help pay bills and doing everything he could to protect his sister from the dangers around them.

“My entire life growing up was coming home not knowing if we were going to eat or if we’d have a roof over our heads,” Aidan recalled. “I was always looking over my shoulder to make sure nobody messed with us.”

At age 13, the North Carolina Department of Social Services intervened. Aidan and his sister entered foster care — a turning point that would begin to reshape their lives. Fortunately, they were placed together in the same foster home, offering a sense of stability, but the transition wasn’t easy.

Aidan initially struggled with the idea of leaving his parents, having grown used to an environment where substance abuse felt normal. Over time, he began to see the difference between survival and stability.

His sister eventually formed a close bond with a family in Alabama. So close, in fact, that the family became licensed to adopt her. Aidan even testified in court to support the adoption, knowing it was the best path for her.

“I could tell they’d give her a better life than if we went back to our parents or were put up for adoption separately,” he said. “It was the best outcome for her, and that’s all I was fighting for.”

As his sister found a new home, Aidan transitioned into North Carolina’s 18–21 foster care program, where he was introduced to LifeSet, a program of Youth Villages for young adults aging out of foster care. Through LifeSet, Aidan received guidance on everything from managing finances to navigating college life.

As a student at NC State, Aidan is also part of the LifeSet Scholars program, which provides financial assistance and resources to help young adults who experienced foster care succeed in higher education.

This support has been transformative.

“I’m graduating just to say I did, since nobody in my family has ever gone to college,” Aidan said.

Today, Aidan is thriving. He’s doing well in school, has a strong support system and is building a future on his own terms. He considers his foster family his “real family” and has developed a healthy understanding of his past.

“I use it more as motivation rather than being ashamed of it,” he said.

About Youth Villages – North Carolina

In collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, our North Carolina services focus on strengthening families to prevent or reduce the need for out-of-home placements (Intercept, MST, and High Fidelity Wraparound) and supporting youth who age out of foster care or lack a stable caregiver as they transition to adulthood (LifeSet).

Donate now or become a corporate partner to help us expand our reach and build a stronger community.

Share on Social