Laguardia Community College student Dylan Tatom is aiming to beat difficult odds—with a little help from a Brooklyn nonprofit.
Tatom, who entered foster care at 13 after she was abused by a relative, wants to transfer to a four-year school and eventually study law — a lofty goal considering that just 6% of former foster kids earn college degrees, according to a 2010 University of Chicago study.
“I want to help people because I know you’re not always in control of what goes on in your life,” said Tatom. “That’s why I want to become a defense attorney.”
Tatom, 19, is one of 42 New York college students getting tuition help, room, board and other benefits—as well as counseling and support—through the American Dream Program run by HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services.
“Dylan is an incredibly resilient and strong young woman,” said HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services Executive Director Dawn Saffayeh. “However, even though she is strong, she still needs people to cheer her on and to be there when she needs support, like we all do.”
Tatom has made a strong commitment to her future, even wearing a “promise ring” on her left ring finger as a vow to herself that she’ll accomplish her goals.
“I learn something new every time I attend class so that’s the most important thing— making sure I get something out of showing up,” she said.
But with classes, financial aid and a part-time job as a customer service representative, the stress can build without a parent’s support, she said.
“I have to juggle school and work so it’s actually balancing that school life versus your academic career,” she added. “It’s been hard to just do both and just remain firm and stay focused on my dream without getting sidetracked,” Tatom said.
“I like living on my own because it gives me a sense of stability. Something that I’ve longed for for so long,” she said.
It can get a little lonely, though, and it’s hard for her to relate to other students.
“My social life is not as vibrant as I would like it to be,” Tatom said with a smile, suggesting that was an understatement — but added that she has made friends with a few other students in the American Dream Program who go to different colleges.
She was overwhelmed to learn she’d need to take another English class on top of her criminology and sociology courseload—because writing can be very time consuming, she said.
“I was honestly getting overwhelmed with just writing. And I started to just lose confidence and say, ‘Can I do this?'” Tatom said.
She went to HeartShare Youth Development Associate Lauren Pettiette, who gives advice and counseling to Tatom and others in the American Dream Program.
Just talking through her worries made her feel better and more confident, Tatom said.
Pettiette said she tries to function both as an academic advisor and an older sister or parent.
“I wear a lot of hats. Whatever hat they need me to wear,” Pettiette said. “I can step in and say, ‘Let’s work through this,’ and, ‘This is a good way to advocate for yourself.'”
For more information on the American Dream Program, visit www.hsvsnyc.org or directly contact Youth Development Associate Lauren Pettiette at Lauren.Pettiette@heartshare.org or 718-422-2339.
