Meet Rezia

Meet Rezia, an 18-year-old high school senior with big dreams and great plans. Rezia is a former client of CHS' Nelle Smith Residence for Girls. She is an incredible young woman who carries herself with grace and confidence despite the hardships she faced being in foster care for most of her life. Rezia lived at Nelle Smith Residence for almost three years and, on any given day, one could walk into her bedroom and find her bed nicely made and all her belongings well organized. This overachieving student on the track and cross country teams who's also in debate club has great determination and drive.

What are some of the things that Nelle Smith Residence helped you accomplish?
Nelle Smith has a system that helped me prepare for independent living when I had to leave the program (once I turned 18). It also helped me meet different people with different cultures and careers. The residence has a schedule that includes time to do homework and do chores, and that was very helpful.

What do you wish other people knew about you?
There was a point in my life that I had low self-esteem and was unsure of myself. But, I realized at the end of the day, it is really up to me to be what I want to be.

What are your plans after you leave the Nelle Smith Residence?
My most important plan is to pass the FCAT, maintain my good grades and graduate from high school knowing that I did my best. Then I want to take college classes and get certified as a makeup artist. That will help me pay to continue my studies.

What are your dreams five to 10 years from now?
I want to be a businesswoman. I want to have my own house and, when I do, I want to help girls like me who are in group homes by inviting them to spend Christmas with me. In the future, I also want to share my story with girls who live in group homes.

What’s it like to be 18?
It is a reality check. I have to be more independent, and maturity is a big part of that.

What advice would you give other girls who live in group homes?
Don't take things too personally.
Don't be disrespectful toward another person because you will regret it.
Stay true to yourself, and don't forget who you really are.

Rezia's Favorites:
Color: Purple
Food: Rice
Movie: The Notebook
Ice Cream Flavor: Vanilla with Strawberry
Quote: "Everything happens for a reason."

Rezia 'graduated' from the Nelle Smith Residence for Girls on the day she turned 18. She has joined another community-based program that helps youth who 'age out' of the foster care system, and she's been following her plans to make sure she reaches her dreams some day.

 Children's Home Society of Florida supports public policy to extend the current age of eligibility of foster care to the age of 21. Federal legislation, the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 allows states to claim federal reimbursement for the costs of caring for and supervising Title IV-E eligible foster youth until their 21st birthday. Currently in Florida the age is 18 years of age.

No clients shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Clients needing accommodations for a disability and/or clients with special communications needs should contact their Children’s Home Society of Florida worker or make their request for accommodation at the time of admission into a Children’s Home Society of Florida program.

CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA, REGISTRATION #CH180, IS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE UNDER THE SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS ACT. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.