After immigrating from Haiti as a child, Rae found herself navigating the foster system for the remainder of her youth. Frequent changes in housing placement resulted in multiple school transfers and a transcript that didn’t accurately reflect her hard work or love of learning. When she turned 18 and transitioned out of the foster system, she found herself solely responsible for her own well-being and for that of her newborn son. Despite being severely credit-deficient and balancing the competing priorities of employment, school, and parenting, she collaborated with her teacher at RISE to create a flexible schedule and personalized academic pathway that worked for her. When the pandemic hit, RISE case managers supported Rae to ensure she and her son had access to housing, a job, and basic necessities such as baby clothes, diapers, and formula. With a stable network in place for the first time in her life, Rae thrived, completing her courses at an accelerated pace and graduating this June despite the many COVID-related challenges. She was nominated by students and staff as the Commencement Speaker, where she shared her plans to work part-time at Da Vinci while attending college and pursuing her degree.