Shining Star: Darlene Achille

Darlene Achille, a Footsteps Shining Star is honored

Thursday May 21st Darlene Achille was honored as one of two outstanding former foster youth by Florida Children’s First. FCF is a 4 star non-profit dedicated to advocating for Children’s Rights. Darlene is a former foster child. This remarkable young woman has taken care and protected her 4 siblings since she was 8 years old when she walked into a DCF office and said something was wrong at home. Today, despite the odds and after many years of traumatic struggles and challenges, Darlene is thriving, successful and an inspiration to all who know her.

Darlene was introduced to Footsteps soon after she aged out of foster care and last year was honored by our Board as the first of our young women to graduate with a degree from FGCU. Soon afterward she moved to St. Mary’s Fl., taking her sister and her niece with her. This was a new beginning for all of them. Darlene has remained the caregiver for her sister; helps raise her 8 year old niece and works retail in a local establishment. She hopes to be able to attend graduate school in the near future. We are so proud of her!!!