Studies show young people who have a positive adult figure in their life are less likely to drop out of school, have fewer run-ins with law enforcement and build better relationships with their biological family. This remains true for those entering college and young adulthood.

For Desirey, having a mentor has been integral to her success with school, mental health and relationship- building with her foster parents.

Desirey began her journey with Youth Villages during senior year of high school when she was referred to the LifeSet program by a mental health provider. LifeSet is an evidence-based program helping transition-age youth navigate adulthood.

Desirey describes herself being hesitant at first about participating in LifeSet.

“I didn’t want another person to come in, but she showed up consistently and really listened to me,” Desirey said. “I guess you could say I have a sweet spot for her now.”

“She” was her LifeSet specialist, Sam, who worked hard to build rapport with Desirey.

“Desirey really needed someone she could trust, communicate with and who would check in on her,” Sam said.

LifeSet specialists meet with participants at least once a week to work on many areas of life to ease their journey into adulthood.

Desirey says Sam would never steer her in the wrong direction — she had complete trust in her guidance.

From applying to colleges and for scholarships to securing dorm rooms, Sam guided Desirey through the steps for her enrollment to the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee. In the fall of 2023, Desirey began her first semester, becoming the first in her family to attend college.

Once Desirey started college, Sam saw her natural gift for school and encouraged her to apply for LifeSet Scholars, an initiative within the LifeSet program that specifically aims to support young people transitioning out of foster care by providing them with additional resources and dedicated support to achieve their educational goals.

However, beginning a new chapter can bring challenging roadblocks like making new friends, challenging college courses and mental health struggles. Desirey’s relationship with her foster parents became strained during the summer leading into her freshman year. She began falling behind in school and on the verge of academic probation.

Sam helped Desirey find counseling and discover a major she was passionate about that combined her love for design and creative writing: advertising.

Desirey’s sophomore year brought new goals and stability. She achieved the Dean’s List in the fall semester, a University of Memphis award recognizing students for maintaining a 3.5 GPA.

Classes have become more interesting for Desirey, and she’s maintained a supportive relationship with her foster parents. She moved into her own apartment in January, and of course, she already has the color theme picked out: purple and black.

In the summer of 2024, Desirey received a new specialist due to Sam’s transition into a supervisory role. Sam didn’t want to lose contact, so she became a new support for Desirey: her mentor. In LifeSet Scholars, each participant receives a mentor as an extra person to lean on.

“She sends me her grades, and I’m an additional person who’s in her corner, cheering her on all the way,” Sam said. “I’m just so proud of her for putting in the work toward her success.”

The two get together for activities like bowling and lunch outings. Sam says it’s surreal to have seen Desirey graduate high school and now she will be there for her college graduation.

“Sam’s my motivator, encourager and cheerleader,” Desirey said.

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