AZ | Finding his rhythm

Born and raised in Seattle, AZ  spent his childhood dreaming big. He wanted to play baseball, learn the cello, and like many kids, spend hours playing video games. 

But home wasn’t always a stable place. His parents weren’t able to take care of him. “Unfortunately, my mom was addicted to drugs and became absent because of it,” AZ said.  

“It was me, my dad, and my grandma, bouncing around from house to house, sometimes living in just one room because my dad was trying to live like that American dream that he romanticized when he came here from the Philippines,” AZ said. “Due to so much poverty and discrimination, especially as an immigrant Asian coming into Seattle, mental health was not very important, or it wasn’t really focused on or valued in the household.”   

“He was different, there was like a little bit of a weird demeanor with him. And he was very closed off...Out of nowhere, he took his life,”  AZ said. 

At 16, AZ suddenly found himself without a caretaker. He entered foster care during his junior year of high school, a time when most teens are simply trying to navigate classes and friendships.  

“I had a lawyer, a social worker and a counselor I met with every week,” he said. “My foster parents really helped me stay on track. My foster mom would always tell me, ‘You have to keep going, focus on school. I’m here for you.’"

AZ leaned on his cultural identity for motivation. “In Asian culture there was a lot of emphasis on being successful, going to college, getting a degree and getting a really well-paying job,” he explained.  

When he got to the University of Washington, he found a community that became like family. Joining the UW dance team gave him a sense of belonging and confidence. “Dance was a way for me to kind of express myself, express my emotions and really connect with people,” said AZ. “That was like a great outlet for me to keep going to college.”

In 2023, AZ graduated with a degree in geography and data science. It was a milestone that once felt out of reach. He is grateful to SHA for helping him find stability and opportunity along the way.

“Seattle Housing Authority was so on top of it, always answering my emails, always willing to meet with me and always willing to work and provide me with like the best resources,” he said. 

AZ received housing assistance from Seattle Housing Authority through a special housing voucher that assists youth aging out of foster care. Through his Housing Choice Voucher specialist, he found an apartment and was introduced to JobLink, SHA’s career and education program. JobLink opened the door to an internship in SHA’s IT department.  

Looking ahead, AZ envisions a career where he can lead and inspire others.

“I want to make everyone feel like they are doing their best, regardless of who you are, where you are and what you’re doing,” he said. “Just know that you are human at the end of the day and you're breathing. And I'm glad that you're here.”