"Now I can breathe a little”: Semaj’s Journey to EMS Certification

When Semaj got the news she passed her final EMS exam, she didn’t cry.

“I just stood there in silence,” she said, “like, wow... I really did it.”

That quiet moment meant everything. For the first time in years, she wasn’t just surviving. She was building something new.

At 22, Semaj has already navigated more than most. She’s been in and out of foster care. She’s lived in shelters. She’s worked hard jobs and kept going through setbacks. When she entered AcademySTAY, she knew she wanted more...but wasn’t sure how to get there.

“I came here from a shelter, and I didn’t have anything. Not even a phone. But I had drive.”

That drive led her to an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program. It was a 12-week sprint of early mornings, heavy studying, and real-world training. Some days she woke up unsure how she’d get to class. But she made it.

Now she holds a nationally recognized EMS certification. She’s one of the first AcademySTAY residents to complete a postsecondary program during their time here.

“I finally feel proud of myself,” she said. “Like I can breathe a little.”

Semaj’s goals don’t stop here. She wants to enroll in college, work in health care, and eventually become a nurse. She’s also focused on staying stable—building credit, keeping a steady job, and staying connected to people who care.

“I’m trying to break old patterns. I don’t want to go back.”

Her advice to other foster youth?

“Be patient with yourself. Even if you fail, keep going. Nobody else is living your story.”

Semaj also had a message for the donors who made her journey possible:

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to have a roof over my head and be able to focus. If I was still in the shelter, I probably wouldn’t have even made it halfway through my EMS program.”

At AcademySTAY, we believe students like Semaj are the experts on their own lives. Our job is to listen, back their goals, and make sure housing isn’t the reason they stop

dreaming.

She’s not just an EMS graduate. She’s a disruptor, a role model, and a reminder of what’s possible when young people have room to breathe.

Want to help more young adults like Semaj finish what they started? Your monthly gift gives them housing, coaching, and a chance to focus. Here’s how you can make a difference:

1. Donate: your gift provides housing stipends, life-skills workshops, and education grants.

2. Volunteer: from guest-speaking in life-skills classes to one-on-one mentoring, your expertise empowers our students.