Foster youth says one attentive adult changed his life

A speaker identified as Dalen, a foster youth, told attendees during public comment that an adult noticing his journal and taking action led to him entering foster care and getting support. "So I started leaving my own footprints through my journal day by day, trying to process what I couldn't say out loud," he said.

The account underscores how a single adult intervention can alter a young person's path. A commenter introducing the testimony summarized the message: "It only takes 1 person and that we should pay attention. All of us have a responsibility to take care of our youth in our community." Dalen said he showed his journal to teachers because he did not know how else to ask for help and that is how he entered foster care.

Dalen also said he has remained in school and is "still moving forward," attributing that progress to the adult who intervened. "What saved me was 1 adult paying attention and taking action. So if you see the signs, don't just say something. Do something," he said.

During the same public comment period, another commenter said some children need to know the adults in their lives support them and can be trusted with difficult conversations. The speakers framed the remarks as a call to adults—teachers, family members and other community members—to recognize signs of distress and follow through with concrete help.

No ordinances, motions or formal actions were made during the public comment segment. The testimony was delivered as part of the meeting's public comment portion and did not include a formal request for a specific policy or funding action.