“Anyone can be helped, supported, and have a change of heart and mind. No one in this world is a lost cause. I don’t care where they are, where they come from or what they have done, even though some of society would say otherwise,” says Lana-Christy Starr, former foster youth, life coach and motivational speaker.
Lana-Christy is an accomplished entrepreneur, motivational speaker, author, life coach and business consultant whose life mission is helping youth and adults of all ages become successful in life.
Although Lana-Christy has a long list of achievements, her journey to becoming the successful woman she is today was a challenging one. As a former foster youth who beat the odds, Lana-Christy faced major obstacles growing up. According to Lana, “I have overcome a lot of different challenges, including mental illness (depression/anger issues), behavioral issues, homelessness, and complex internal issues from feeling alone in a world without having a biological family, and so much more.
In spite of the overwhelming obstacles she endured, Lana-Christy always had a desire to live a better life. “Being that I have always had a deep desire for more—for change, for love, and to love myself, I believe it was part of my destiny. It took so many years for me to get where I am now, and it’s still a journey even though I have overcome so many challenges.”
Like most foster youth, Lana-Christy needed guidance, love and support from caring adults who could help her heal her pain and create a better future. According to Lana-Christy, “I started going to counseling at a very young age, and I have always had to receive some type of support throughout the years to deal with life and the self-hatred I experienced as a direct effect of trauma.
I also received ministry counseling, which finally helped me when I turned 30-years-old. I also attended a lot of classes, enrolled in school, workshops, and conferences to change my perspective and my life. I’ve had a desire to help others not experience the pain, torment, and the ocean of problems I have faced.”
There is a strong belief that youth who have had tough childhoods can’t become successful, but Lana-Christy’s story is one that shows that success comes from caring adults, and the willingness to get help. “I see myself as striving for success, which is not in who I am, but in what I can give and do with what I become, says Lana-Christy. My success is not by my might. My success comes from me working on myself to become more nurturing, and compassionate to the reality of who I am internally, and who I came from.
It also comes from understanding that everything is ok, even when it does not look ok or feel ok all of the time. My success is because of God, which has helped me have the capabilities as well as the courage to face myself-the good and the bad, and take the necessary actions for positive change.”
Some of the biggest life lessons Lana-Christy has learned is: “Life doesn’t determine what will happen to you, who you’ll become or where you will go. It is up to each person to determine that and to rewrite their own outcome, whether it’s positive or negative. Don’t submit to accepting less than what you deserve based off of the low place you think you’re in. Tell your mind how to think and what to believe, because thoughts are produced by the familiar (your past). Tell yourself who you are, and how powerful you are. You can overcome and become what you put your mind to for the good if you are willing to wait and invest in yourself. Believe that you are loved and allow yourself to be loved by anyone who wants to place a healthy deposit in your life”
As a passionate life coach who helps people heal trauma, Lana-Christy shares a special message to our youth: “Your existence and relevance in life is not based off what you have or where you come from. Who you are is strategically designed for a purpose. You are made for more. You just have to believe it and not allow your emotions to dictate your value or worth. You are valuable, and are able to write your own story and complete it, but it’s contingent on how hard you are willing to fight for yourself. No one can love you more than you can love yourself.”
For potential foster parents who are on the fence about fostering, Lana-Christy’s encouragement is: “What I know to be the truth is that Perfect love casts out fear. Most of us as human beings, especially those in the foster care system, or youth who were adopted, are walking around in fear. We feel fear of failure, fear of the unknown, fear from trauma, as well as experience a generational fear that’s been passed down through our bloodline. What has been proven is that when we choose to walk in perfect love, which is a love that is strong, patient, flexible, humble and steadfast, love wins.”
“Things may not always go the way we think they should go. There are times when it won’t seem logical to love someone who has behavioral problems, but most people just want and absolutely need love. Love is not a foolish, gullible exhortation. It is a strong, sober decision to do what benefits the child or teen in order for them to become healthy, balanced, and strong individuals,” says Lana.
Through her company, MzLana Christy’s Enlightenment L.L.C., Lana-Christy operates a Resource Center that provides a variety of services, including life coaching, business grant resources, ghostwriting services, resource referrals and more. Lana looks forward to helping foster youth with counseling, coaching, and employment preparation.
A celebrated author, Lana’s first book, You Are Far More Valuable Than You Know and her second book, A Little Reminder to Love You More, are available on Amazon. To learn more about Lana, visit her website at www.christyispurposedriven.net.
Eve Powers, Foster Care Marketing Specialist
Eve has a strong commitment to helping foster youth and their families thrive and live successful lives. A former foster youth, Eve obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Communications from California State University, San Bernardino, and is a certified Holistic Life Coach, motivational writer, self-help author and celebrity interviewer. Beyond the Trinity Youth Services blog, Eve’s articles can be found in numerous platforms including Foster Focus Magazine, Heart & Soul Magazine, BET Centric and Huffington Post. A passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community, Eve continues to educate, support and mentor foster youth throughout Southern California.
As a Supervisor for the Fifth District, San Bernardino County’s largest district comprised of San Bernardino, Rialto, Fontana, Bloomington, Muscoy, Rosena Ranch, and Devore, Joe Baca, Jr., is a champion for local youth and families, and has created a special message asking the community to support foster youth and encourage people to take an active role in supporting them. According to Supervisor Baca, Jr., “We have so many children in our system that need a loving home. If you are already considering fostering or adopting, your heart is already in the right place. Be the reason that child prospers.”
A loving father and devoted husband, Supervisor Baca, Jr. has always been passionate about helping youth succeed beyond all odds. According to Supervisor Baca Jr., his work as a teacher and as a high school softball coach, has helped him transform lives. “I had the pleasure to work as a teacher for 15 years. That experience taught me to meet the youth where they are. Going to school is not the only challenge many of our youth experience. Their experience in their homes and their relationships and mentors, or lack thereof, can make them or break them. I made it my mission to be there for them, as a teacher and a mentor.”
Always an inspiration for youth, especially those who are at-risk, Supervisor Baca Jr., provides these sincere words of encouragement: “Do not let your past define you. You are young and the possibilities are endless. Dream big and never stop on your pursuit of accomplishing your goals in life. Find your passion and go after it full-throttle.”
A revered role model in our community, some of the values Supervisor Baca, Jr. lives by today comes from what his parents taught him as a child. According to Supervisor Baca, Jr., “My parents always instilled in me the importance of hard work and discipline. I grew up always knowing that to accomplish my goals, I would need to work hard and diligently to make them a reality. I passed these values to the youth I taught and coached throughout the years.”
Although his parents instilled the importance of hard work, they also taught him about the importance of family. “In my life, being a loving husband and father is what I am the most proud of. Everything I do is for my family and they keep me humble. I can be the Supervisor for the 5th district but when I come home, I am dad to them, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
As an influential father, some of the most important life lessons that Supervisor Baca, Jr. teaches his children include, “to treat everyone with equal respect. It does not matter where someone is from, what they look like, what they believe in or what they do for a living. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect. Another important lesson I teach my children is to always keep asking questions. The moment we stop learning is the moment we stop growing. This sometimes backfires when they ask me difficult questions, but I know this will help them grow into strong and independent thinkers,” says Supervisor Baca, Jr.
A highly sought-after community leader whose passion is inspiring positive change and uplifting others, Supervisor Baca, Jr. is determined to being remembered as “being the person you called when you needed help.” His motto is, “Just keep going! Life will always have highs and lows,” he says. “Not many things in life are that consistent. When I am experiencing difficult times, I like to remember a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ‘We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope.'”
While helping youth thrive is a top priority for Supervisor Baca, Jr., he is also committed to making other positive shifts in our community. “As a County Supervisor, I have an opportunity to serve the constituents of the 5th district which is close to half of a million people. I am honored to be able to serve the community through this role. I have big plans for the 5th district which includes advocating for the most vulnerable and underserved and ensuring we have our fair share of the resources made available through our County process.”
Highly active in his community to support a broad range of supportive services that are creating more opportunities for the people he serves, Supervisor Baca, Jr.’s office is hosting an Expungement and Hiring Event, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 27, 2021 at The Way World Outreach, 4680 Hallmark Parkway in San Bernardino. As many as 40 businesses will participate, as will a variety of agencies that offer support services. Individuals with or without a prior conviction are invited to attend. Many of the employers will be offering on-the-spot job opportunities. You can sign up here or by calling the office at (909) 387-4565.
To find out of more events and/or resources Supervisor Baca, Jr. provides, please visit his website and add him on Facebook @supervisorbacajr, Instagram @supervisorbaca, and on twitter @SupervisorBaca.
If you want to learn more about becoming a foster or adoptive parent through Trinity Youth Services, please schedule a virtual Foster Care Orientation, by calling 909-825-5588 Ext. 230, or by sending an email to epowers@TrinityYS.org. Ready to start your foster care journey? Click here!
Eve Powers, Foster Care Marketing Specialist
Eve has a strong commitment to helping foster youth and their families thrive and live successful lives. A former foster youth, Eve obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Communications from California State University, San Bernardino, and is a certified Holistic Life Coach, motivational writer, self-help author and celebrity interviewer. Beyond the Trinity Youth Services blog, Eve’s articles can be found in numerous platforms including Foster Focus Magazine, Heart & Soul Magazine, BET Centric and Huffington Post. A passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community, Eve continues to educate, support and mentor foster youth throughout Southern California.
