Becca’s Story:

Becca grew up knowing what it felt like to be supported with patience and belief. That experience that shaped who she became and how she shows up for others. Adopted through DCFS as a newborn, she was raised in a home where encouragement was steady and consistent. That grounding gave her the confidence to pursue her creativity, eventually leading her to earn both her bachelor’s and (soon) her master’s degrees in interior design at Illinois State University. Her approach to design is, at its root, about how it connects people, and as she moved through college, she found herself drawn again and again to roles where she could build meaningful relationships.

That instinct to create community is what led her to Foster Progress’s Y-CAP program. Entering her final year of college and first year of graduate school, Becca saw the Peer Advocate role as a way to give back—a continuation of the mentorship that had shaped her own life. She wanted to help give students coming into ISU with foster care backgrounds a place where they felt welcomed, understood, and able to authentically be themselves.

As a Peer Advocate, Becca mentored five students one-on-one, planned monthly meetings, coordinated training sessions, organized social gatherings, and helped lead a service project each semester. Her years of involvement in campus organizations gave her the confidence and tools to guide younger students through transitions she remembered navigating herself. And as she stepped into the leadership responsibilities of the role, she realized she was capable of far more than she had once believed.

Some moments stand out—like the night she and her mentees dressed up as zombies to volunteer at a Haunted Trail, a quirky and joyful memory that deepened their bond and connected them to the community. But many of her favorite moments were quieter: a mentee opening up about something hard, celebrating a small accomplishment, or watching a younger student begin to test their own voice in a space that felt safe. Those small exchanges reminded her of why the Y-CAP program matters so much.

Throughout her time as a Peer Advocate, Becca developed her own leadership abilities and watched connections and confidence grow through shared experiences. She saw her mentees open up, take risks, and find their footing. And her time as a Peer Advocate shaped her just as much as she shaped her mentees. As she prepares to graduate with her master’s degree, she carries forward the same belief that guided her from the beginning: support can change the course of a life, and she is committed to passing it on.

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