EPISODE PLAYER

Education Chat: From Foster Care to College, Meet Hope

About This Episode

Season 5. Episode 2.

It is safe to say that Hope has “hope” for her future

Just a few years ago, Hope was classified as one of the 370,000+ foster youth in the United States. As a former child in foster care now attending Cal State San Marcos for a degree in child development, Hope Catenacci grew up without having parents to rely on. Even as she has aged out of the system, she still faces struggles on the daily that many people are unaware of. 

Although many foster youth face adversaries, Hope provides the unique perspective of being grateful for being put into the system. She takes advantage of the benefits provided for her on her campus, and attributes being separated from her father as a chance to become something more than what she thought she would become. 

Listen to Hope’s story and experience the second episode of Education Chat’s fifth season in a newly developed short-form format. This episode is for anyone who may relate to the background of Hope, or for those who want a true, raw, testament of how a foster youth has to navigate higher education. 

Follow our socials to stay tuned!
Instagram:   / educationchatgia
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6CWxaOs…
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@educationchat…

Watch Now

View our podcast page for more stories like this: https://gia.echofactory.dev/gia-podcasts/

Education Chat tells the stories of students in the Inland Empire by cultivating meaningful discussions about lived experiences, successes, and opportunities for growth. Join GIA Intern Natalie Hinton as she engages in candid conversations with students throughout the region. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. 

Recent Episodes

Education Insight: Stronger Classrooms Begins with Parents at the Table

About This Episode Season 6. Episode 13. In this week’s episode of Education Insight, we explore how trust, shared decision-making, and open communication can transform the culture of an entire school community. The conversation turns everyday family engagement into something deeper—showing how student behavior improves, relationships strengthen, and classrooms become more supportive when families are treated…
LISTEN NOW Education Insight: Stronger Classrooms Begins with Parents at the Table