Dakota’s Foster Care Story
Dakota Albert is a 26-year-old mum to three gorgeous boys, and a wife to her high school sweetheart. Having grown up in foster care, she had a tough path to where she is now, but this has shaped the incredible wāhine that she is today. A young lady that just wants to give back, and is doing so by walking 500km to raise money for Caring Families Aotearoa.
At a young age, Dakota was put into foster care, and this experience was extremely traumatising for her. At 17 she transitioned to independence from Oranga Tamariki and found her own accommodation at a hostel, where she took charge of her life, and continued her education while receiving money on a Work & Income green payment card for her lunch and bus fare.
But Dakota still felt there was something missing in her life…
It was at a 2-day camp for rangatahi in care, *Face Your Future, that she met and was inspired by a speaker there, The Rt Hon Ron Mark. He talked about believing that it is your attitude that determines your altitude, be bold, stand tall, set your goals high, work hard and never give up. It was hearing him speak about also being in care, and his personal story of determination to never give up and not let the past define who you are, that inspired her.
Top right: Rt Hon Ron Mark speaking at Face your Future 2022
Bottom Right: Rt Hon Ron Mark chatting to rangatahi at Face your Future
Following this, when Dakota turned 18, she was compelled to take the last of her siblings out of foster care and became their caregiver. Although this obviously had some challenges at such a young age, she persevered and put herself through university, and found her strength and passion by giving back to the community.
Making a Difference
Dakota has gone on to raise money for various charities by incorporating another of her passions, fitness. In 2022, Dakota and her husband completed a 100km walk for the Mental Health Foundation and completed 210 kms for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
But Dakota has always remembered that encounter at Face Your Future with the Rt Hon Ron Mark and his words of not giving up, and she wants to support Caring Families Aotearoa to provide strong support to caregivers, so they can provide homes that heal.
In 2023, Dakota walked, cycled, and swam 500km over the months of September/October to fundraise for Caring Families Aotearoa. But she didn’t stop there as she also ran 21.1km in the Auckland Marathon, altogether raising $370.00 for us.
Thank you Dakota, for your amazing mahi, and the support you offer to rangatahi and caregivers through your involvement in Face Your Future and your recent fundraising. Thank you also to the generous supporters who supported her.
Click here to see how Dakota used Give A Little to raise an amazing amount towards the work of Caring Families Aotearoa!
*Face Your Future – An inspirational two days, designed to get rangatahi in care thinking about what they want to do once they leave school. Hosted by L’Oréal NZ in collaboration with Caring Families Aotearoa, and VOYCE Whakarongo Mai.