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Dajonna Benjamin, 22, and her five-year-old daughter Leniyah Dugan, are photographed at a transitional housing for foster youth of Alameda County's Independent Living Skills Program in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2017. The program is part of Beyond Emancipation which provides several programs to help former foster and probation youth to overcome challenges and make successful transitions to adulthood and independent living. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Single Oakland mom finds brighter future after years in foster care

By

Bay Area News Group

As someone who spent her childhood moving among foster homes, Dajonna Benjamin has faced challenges from the very start in life.

But now with a little help, the 22-year-old single mom is overcoming perhaps the biggest of all for a person with her background: Building a productive future.

In May, Benjamin secured a place for herself and her 5-year-old daughter at an East Oakland transitional home that supports young mothers as they exit the foster care system.

Along with providing counseling and other services in a roommate-like setting, the home offers moms the time to build new lives for themselves and their kids.

Read more at East Bay Times…

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