Former Oregon foster youth defies odds, on track to graduate from PSU and pay it forward

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - After entering foster care during childhood, one Oregon young woman is now on track to graduate from Portland State University, and she plans to use her experience to help other young people aging out of the foster system.

FOX 12 is partnering with Youth Villages Oregon, an organization helping about 200 young people transition out of the foster care system.

PSU senior Natalie Delgado is one of their clients who has overcome incredible obstacles on her path to higher education.

Last year, Delgado told FOX 12 about entering foster care at age 10.

It was a traumatic time. She was separated from her parents and younger sister.

“I would suffer repeated abuse in my early childhood until someone from the other side of my family spoke up,” Delgado said. “Then we were separated from my mom, who was trying to rehabilitate. We lost each other.”

Then came the end of high school, a pivotal time for young people aging out of foster care. Without support, many face a higher risk of homelessness or incarceration.

Delgado was determined to pursue higher education. That’s when Youth Villages stepped in.

Through its Scholars Program, the nonprofit helped her navigate her way to college at PSU, from FAFSA and scholarships to housing — tools she says she wouldn’t have otherwise had as a first-generation college student.

“Finding people that were genuinely there to help me with my questions so I could start going to school and support myself, it felt like such a relief that I wasn’t bothering anybody, and they were there because they wanted to be there,” she said.

For the past four years, Delgado has met monthly with Youth Villages LifeSet specialists like Rogelio Larios.

He makes sure she’s on track with tuition and prepares her for the professional world.

It’s a job Rogelio is very passionate about, as a first-generation college graduate himself.

“Having that one person who’s there and not giving up on you can definitely be all that’s needed to accomplish your goals,” he said.

Life hasn’t always been easy for Delgado, but things are looking up.

She lives independently and is the legal caregiver for her sister, serving as a reminder that regardless of the struggles, they can succeed.

Delgado is on track to earn her degree in December.

She plans to use her bachelor’s degree in social science to become a LifeSet specialist with Youth Villages, so she can encourage foster youth, like the non-profit has done for her.

“I’ve been supported, especially by Rogelio,” Delgado said. “I’d like to give that to someone else.”

Youth Villages is hosting its annual Fall Celebration on Sept. 24.

You can donate or learn more about the event using this link.