From Homelessness to Engineering Dreams: Kenny’s Journey
- WAYS for Life
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
When Kenny aged out of foster care at 18, she entered adulthood without the safety net many young people rely on. By her early twenties, she was experiencing homelessness and searching for stability — not just for herself, but for her children.
In 2020, Kenny came to WAYS for Life.
What she found was more than a program. She found a team committed to walking alongside her.
Through WAYS’ holistic model of wraparound services, Kenny received housing support, education guidance, employment connections, transportation assistance, and legal services. Each piece mattered. Together, they created stability.
That stability began with a Foster Youth to Independence Housing Choice Voucher, which helped cover a portion of her rent and gave her a safe place to call home. With housing secure, Kenny could focus on building her future.
WAYS helped her secure a scholarship through the Economic Development Commission of the Space Coast to enroll in a Pre-Apprentice Manufacturing Certificate Program. She attended classes online at night, balancing responsibilities as a mother while pushing toward her goals.
She passed all four exams. She earned all four certificates.
Then she seized the next opportunity.
After touring and interviewing with WAYS’ community partner, Anderson Connectivity, Kenny was hired. She has now worked there for more than three years, building not only professional skills but confidence and momentum.
Her success inspired her to take another bold step. Kenny enrolled at Eastern Florida State College to pursue her dream of becoming an engineer.
Four years after walking through your doors while experiencing homelessness, Kenny has achieved self-sufficiency.
She is providing stability for her children.She is building a career.She is pursuing an engineering degree.
Her story is not about charity. It is about opportunity meeting determination.
And it is what happens when a community chooses to invest in young adults aging out of foster care, not just once, but consistently.
