Teen faced homelessness after 12 different foster homes—until her track coach's simple offer changed her life
For many children in foster care, aging out of the system often meant stepping into adulthood alone, with no stability, support, or a family. But for Victoria Peterson, who entered foster care at 12, her story took a different turn. Here's how her high school track coach took her in to give her a permanent home she had always dreamed of. On October 2, 2019, Victoria penned her journey from foster care to finding her permanent family on Love What Matters.
Between 12-18, Victoria lived in different foster homes, and most of her caseworkers managed to keep her in the same school district. Here's where she met Scott, her sophomore year track coach, who became an influential part of her life. Scott coached Victoria through her sophomore and junior years and showcased patience when others dismissed her tantrums. Track always helped her escape loneliness, but it was only Scott who had faith in her. Scott's words, "I think you can win the state, if you do what I say," inspired her to make him proud. Following Scott's motivation, Victoria was fully committed to working hard, attending every practice, and pushing her limits.
While she was living with a single foster mother, she began to see in Scott the father figure she'd never had. But soon, when she turned eighteen, it was time for her to pack her bags and move out, and Victoria was clueless about where to seek shelter. She found herself homeless, sleeping on couches and floors. Amidst the struggles, she never stopped training, but one evening changed it all. Scott, who used to drive her to practices, one day offered her a forever home. "You can come back for holidays. You’ll always have a home with us," Scott said, as Victoria felt like she had found what she had always craved.
Weeks later, Victoria made history as she went on to bag four titles at the Ohio State Championship, becoming the first woman of color from her high school to win a State title. She also accepted a full academic and athletic scholarship and became a Division II All-American athlete in 2018, being among only 3% of foster youth who have earned a bachelor’s degree. In a study authored by Steven P. Segal in 2023 for Social Sciences, it was found that what children in foster care need most is a placement that provides stability and continuity. The data reveal that about 600,000 children are served in foster care in family and non-family settings, with a daily census of about 400,000. The study advocates for creating long-term, stable residential placements within the out-of-home care system, suggesting that such placements can contribute to the development of healthy, happy, and successful adulthood.
Scott's contributions don't end on the track, as he went on to walk Victoria down the aisle on her big day. Reflecting on her journey, Victoria wrote, "It takes people not just saying, ‘You are worth it,’ but people showing others they are worth the time, fight, and commitment."
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