Helaina Hackett
She/Her
8 Years in Care
Helaina Hackett’s journey began at 14 years old in the foster care system, where she experienced five different placements. At 18, after facing a challenging personal situation, Helaina returned to foster care, but instead of letting this setback define her, she used it as motivation to advocate for herself and others.
One of Helaina’s proudest achievements was being the first in her family to attend college. She earned the Foster Angels scholarship and helped create a community for former foster youth at her school. She’s also worked with organizations like PAL, YALC, and Austin Sunshine Camps, speaking at events and sharing her story to advocate for foster youth.
Currently attending the University of Houston Downtown, Helaina is pursuing a degree in psychology while interning at the school’s Career Center. She’s committed to advocating for young adults transitioning out of care and plans to continue this work after graduating in 2025.
Helaina’s goal is to one day launch a nonprofit to support adolescents in foster care, providing mentorship, life skills, and emotional support. She’s passionate about being the voice that reminds other youth that their experiences don’t define their worth—they define their strength.
