#myLAcommute I’m on my own now

ALONDRA POWELL

I read novels when I’m on the bus. Right now I’m reading Endless Nights.

I’m 19 years old. I’m from South Central Los Angeles. I moved to the Baldwin Hills area last month. I like it because I have my own apartment now. I was in foster care for 14 years. I worked hard and I saved up money. Now I’m on my own. The Department of Social Services helped me—and now I work there helping others like me.

I study science at Long Beach City College. I want to become a chemist. I’ve liked science and chemistry since I was a little girl. My family told me I wasn’t smart enough, but I have a lot of other supporters who think I can do it.

MLK Boulevard to Santa Rosalia Drive

#myLAcommute is a project of Zócalo Public Square.