Lakeview Center Child Protective Services : Success Story

Looking Back

Life is good for 23-year-old Kiamesha Payne. Albeit so young, she's already achieved a level of success by working as a financial analyst for a Fortune 500 company. She also owns her home and drives the car of her choice. But her life hasn't always been this tidy nor on such an upwardly mobile track. In fact, when only a teen, she never dreamed her life would be headed in a positive direction.

"At the age of 14, I was an adjudicated delinquent in the care of the State of Florida," said Kiamesha. "Reunification with my family was not an option, and I was placed in foster care where I resided for two years."

Although Kiamesha was a teenager, she was angry that she couldn't provide stability for herself and her brother. However, once she had a supportive foster home, attended Independent Program Skills Training with FamiliesFirst Network, and obtained a scholarship through the state-funded Road to Independence program, all that began to change.

Looking Forward

"I graduated from Pensacola Junior College in 2003 and then Florida A&M; University in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in business administration," she said.

Upon reflection, Kiamesha said she never thought she could accomplish so much. But she gives a lot of the credit to the people in the program who supported her, taught her how to dream of better things, and put before her the tools to make her dreams come true.

"For a long time I went through life very angry," said Kiamesha. "I was angry that I did not have a family or the support system I thought I needed to reach my full potential. This is a life-changing program. I didn't have these dreams until I was around people who had dreams for me."

Her anger eventually turned to reason. Kiamesha realized that her life was what she chose to make of it. Soon her outlook took on a positive tone and she began to see hope.

"I realize now that my placement in foster care gave me opportunities that otherwise would not have been so easily accessible to me," she said. "Then, through the Independent Living program, I learned the skills I needed to live on my own and to help me succeed wherever I go. I used to think that my life consisted of a series of unfortunate events, but now I understand my life is made up of events that have prepared me to be a strong and successful individual."

Looking Good

And from taking a snapshot of Kiamesha's life today, it's clear that the sky's the limit. It all began with the Independent Living program. FamiliesFirst Network provided a missing link for Kiamesha.

"Today, I no longer say, 'Why me?' I know that it's, 'Why not me?'," she said. "Everyone has their problems. Life is not perfect. But when I have difficulties now, I know how to put them in perspective. I'm thankful there were people who had dreams for me, who cared, who had my best interests at heart. When you face adversity at such a young age, when you don't have the family support you need these (people)."

And so Kiamesha Payne's life is truly good.