Alina Brooks is one of nearly 60 foster children who’ve lived with the Flowers family in East Knoxville.

The stability and support she found in the home have allowed her to launch into adulthood with both feet planted as she ages out of the foster care system.

Brooks is starting a new job. She just graduated from her internship program and is getting ready to move into her own place. She has a lot going on.

“I’m nervous and happy… scared and happy, all between,” Brooks said.

She entered foster care at 13, after her home was deemed unsafe. Brooks remembered packing just two pairs of pants, two shirts and one pair of shoes.

“I was like, ‘OK, I’m finally leaving this place,’” she said. “I was happy about it, but I was kind of scared as well.”

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