“We’ve Come a Long Way”: Niaya and Danny’s Story

Niaya and Danny did not always get along.

Like a lot of siblings close in age, they argued, pushed each other’s buttons, and rarely saw eye to eye. But over time, and through everything they faced growing up, that changed.

“As we got older and faced a lot of things together, it made us closer,” Danny shared.

Today, their bond is something different. Stronger. Built through experience, through challenge, and through showing up for each other when it mattered most.

Niaya laughs when she talks about it now. Her kids love Danny, and her youngest even calls him “dad.”

It is not something either of them expected. But it says a lot about where they are now.

Growing up in foster care, stability was not always guaranteed. Their family was often separated, and at times, they were left to figure things out on their own. Like many young people, they learned early how to navigate systems, find resources, and make decisions without consistent support.

“We had to figure it out on our own,” they shared in different ways throughout their conversation. That reality followed them into adulthood.

At one point, both Niaya and Danny were experiencing housing instability. Niaya was couch surfing with her children, trying to find a place where they could feel settled. Eventually, they ended up living in a hotel together for several months, doing what they could to get by and figure out their next step.

It was not easy. But they had each other.

Things began to change when they connected with Foster Forward. At first, it was not instant. Like many young people, there was uncertainty, questions, and a process that took time.

“I kept calling… asking if there were apartments yet,” Niaya said.

Eventually, that call came. Niaya was accepted into a housing program, something she had not expected to happen so soon. From there, things began to shift. She moved into her own apartment. A place she could finally call home.

For Niaya, that meant more than just having a space of her own. It meant being able to create the kind of moments she had always wanted for her family.

“I just wanted to have Christmas with my kids… a tree, presents under it,” she shared.

That became possible. Her home also became something more. A place where her family could come back together.

“Having this house made family, family again.”

Danny’s path was unfolding alongside hers. As Niaya found stability, Danny remained close. Showing up, leaning on her, and eventually finding his own path forward as well. Today, he works with people experiencing homelessness, helping others navigate the same kinds of challenges he once faced.

“It feels good knowing you can help somebody else… guide somebody through steps that you’ve been through.”

For both of them, progress came step by step. Through Foster Forward’s programs, they were able to build skills, access support, and take tangible steps toward independence. One of those moments came through ASPIRE. Both Niaya and Danny were able to get their licenses and purchase their own cars, something that opened the door to new opportunities. Jobs became more accessible. Daily life became more manageable. Independence became more real.

“It was like the biggest thing I was looking forward to,” Danny said about getting his license.

For Niaya, the journey also led her somewhere unexpected. Today, she works at Foster Forward as a Peer Support Specialist while pursuing a degree in social work. What once felt like uncertainty has become purpose. She is now supporting other young people, especially young moms, who are navigating the same challenges she once faced.

“I just want to let them know… someone like me was in your position,” she said.

Looking back, both Niaya and Danny recognize how far they have come.

“We really came a long way… it wasn’t easy, but it’s become better with the help of you guys.”

But their story is not just about where they are now. It is about what they are building. It is about showing others that change is possible. That support matters. That asking for help can lead somewhere different.

“Don’t be scared to ask for help,” Niaya said.

Today, their story continues. Not just as individuals finding stability, but as siblings who have come through it together, and who are now helping others find their way forward too.