“I used to think I was just surviving, just trying to make it through. But now I know that everything I went through, all the storms, were shaping me into someone stronger.”
— Stacay Woods
This post is the first in Becoming Us, a new storytelling series from Youth Guidance that honors the voices of our alumni. Through their own words, we explore what it means to grow, to heal, and to become.
Stacay Woods, a 22-year-old alumna of Youth Guidance’s Working on Womanhood (WOW) program, has spent much of her life in transition—from foster homes to family reunifications and from deep grief to self-discovery. Raised amidst uncertainty, she grappled with self-doubt, loneliness, and the heavy burden of losing her mother at a young age. In the WOW program, she found a community that helped her confront her past, embrace her emotions, and build resilience for the future.
Today, Stacay reflects on her journey not as one marked by setbacks, but as a path that taught her independence, acceptance, and the courage to be her most authentic self. Here, in her own words, she shares the transformative impact of WOW, the lessons in healing and self-awareness she carries forward, and her commitment to helping others facing similar storms.
Finding Home Amid Displacement
“I’d been in foster care since I was eight. I moved from one home to another, four or five places, until I got back with my aunt. That wasn’t the best situation either… I was sleeping on an ottoman, something as big as your desk. But I think I was the most resilient then, sticking it out, seeing my mom on weekends, moving between different parts of the city. I never really felt smart enough, never felt like I belonged. There was bullying, but more than that, it was this fear I carried from middle school to high school.”
“I didn’t feel heard or understood. I wish my family had taken my feelings seriously. I wished they weren’t so selfish, so that I wouldn’t have to figure everything out alone.”
“I joined WOW my freshman year, and that’s when things started to change. I learned how to accept myself and the things I couldn’t control. I learned how to handle emotions—especially anger. For the first time, I felt like someone was listening. They taught me to just… be real, to say the uncomfortable things out loud. I remember talking to my group about this girl I was always jealous of—not for her looks, but because she had this family connection I didn’t. She seemed like her life ran smooth because of it. And for the first time, I could process those feelings.”
“Grief… grief was the biggest thing I had to learn. I lost my mom when I was 16, and it was like everything blew up. At first, I didn’t even believe she was gone. I’d tell myself she was in the next room, like maybe I’d see her again. WOW helped me see that I was doing the best I could for her, even if I wasn’t perfect. That saved me from so much guilt.”
Strength Forged in the Storm
“Now, I feel more self-aware. Less angry. I know who I am, and I’m learning not to let my past define me. WOW taught me that independence is my word. Being stable on my own, that’s my goal now. But I also learned that you need people around you sometimes, to help ground you when things get tough. Someone once told me, ‘Tell yourself a different story.’ So I do, every day.”
“Self-doubt? That’s just the beginning. If you feel it, don’t let it be your final thought. And family? If they’re not supporting your growth, maybe it’s best not to share your dreams with them. That’s a hard truth, but I learned that I have options. As long as I’m breathing, I can do anything.”
“Now, I’m grateful for the storm. It made me stronger, and now I get to be here for others going through it, too.”
Reflecting on everything she’s overcome, Stacay’s voice is calm, yet resolute.
“I used to think I was just surviving, just trying to make it through. But now I know that everything I went through, all the storms, were shaping me into someone stronger. Today, I want to be the person I needed when I was younger—the one who listens, who believes in you, who reminds you that you’re not alone.” She pauses, her face breaking into a gentle smile. “I’ve learned that healing isn’t about forgetting the pain. It’s about building something new from it—something resilient, something powerful. That’s what I carry forward, and that’s what I want to share with others.”
About Becoming Us
Becoming Us is a storytelling project by Youth Guidance that honors the voices of our alumni—those who have walked through our programs and emerged with hard-won lessons, growth, and resilience. Inspired by Humans of New York, each story celebrates the power of support, self-awareness, and community.
This project was co-created by Stacay Woods, a former marketing and communications intern with Youth Guidance’s Project Prepare Blue.