September 23 , 2026

For youth in foster care, school might feel like another place where they don’t quite fit in. No one likes being the new kid, but this is often the case for young people as they move through the foster care system. They move to a new city after being placed in a new home. They start over once again. Although they can stay in the same school, sometimes the commute can be too far, and they make the difficult decision to switch.

Sometimes youth transition to a different foster home placement while the school year is already underway. Learning becomes disrupted and they need to adjust to curriculum changes between school districts. Their grades may plummet because they missed key concepts and lessons.

It’s not easy being in a new town, talking to new people and living in a new foster home or group home setting. Many youth in foster care struggle to fit in with their peers. Their lives feel remarkably different and it can feel hard to make a connection.

Learning can feel like one more challenge layered on top of everything else they are carrying. But that challenge can feel even harder for students also struggling with a language barrier.

A Partnership Built to Support Diverse Youth

Martina, a teen in our foster care program, was falling behind in school. Spanish was her native language, and it made assignments and class discussions feel out of reach. She felt discouraged as she navigated the challenges in her life and struggled to keep grades up at school. To help her succeed, Martina needed additional academic instruction and bilingual support.

We reached out to TriTogether, a fellow nonprofit dedicated to making tutoring accessible for students in the foster care system. TriTogether connected Martina with Adrian, a Spanish-speaking tutor, and this connection made all the difference.

Each week Martina’s tutor Adrian met with her and slowly broke down the lessons. The sessions were held weekly through remote learning and after each meeting, Martina showed excellent progress. She grew more confident in understanding the class materials with Adrian helping to translate.

During each lesson, Adrian also helped Martina strengthen her English reading comprehension and speaking skills. They began with casual conversation and moved at a pace where Martina felt comfortable. With consistent academic guidance, Martina’s understanding of English grew and boosted her confidence with speaking it. She came to school with renewed motivation and a stronger sense of possibility.

Removing the language barrier helped Martina feel less isolated. Together with her tutor Adrian, she was able to comprehend the lessons and learn in a language that felt most natural. Simultaneously, Martina also became more comfortable speaking up. She began asking questions in class and sharing more about her day with others. Martina slowly developed the confidence to open up and build trust with those around her.

Cultivating a Strong Foundation for Learning

After working with her tutor, Martina felt ready to take her education to the next level. She took part in a program that toured local colleges and offered exam prep. With her newfound confidence in speaking English, it became easier to develop stronger relationships with her peers and mentors. Creating strong connections with others is important for permanency and lays the groundwork for support in the future.

She is now heading into her junior year and hopes to end the school year with a strong GPA. Her story serves as a reminder that youth in foster care come from every background, and the support they receive must reflect that.

A mentor who can help a young person in their own language or culture doesn’t just remove a logistical barrier. It proves they don’t have to leave part of themselves behind in order to succeed.

We are so thankful for our collaboration with TriTogether and their exceptional work in helping education become more accessible for everyone.

Interested in learning more about TriTogether and their services? Visit their website at www.tritogether.org.