Diary of a Foster Kid: Sara-Ann Poirier’s Inspiring Story of Overcoming Trauma and Finding Purpose

Sara-Ann Poirier’s story begins on Vancouver Island in BC, Canada, under a roof filled with uncertainty and quiet terror. She was a little girl in search of safety, though she rarely found it. Her parents weren’t the nurturing presence she needed—she recalls nights when darkness felt less threatening than the people meant to protect her. Early warning signs were overlooked, and by the time the authorities stepped in, Sara’s fragile sense of belonging was gone. Her memoir, Diary of a Foster Kid: My Survival Story, reveals how late intervention often leads to complicated outcomes. She wants readers to see the red flags that slipped by in her own life, so maybe fewer children endure what she did.

Shifting Through Foster Homes

When Sara entered foster care, she hoped for a fresh start—somewhere she could rest without worrying she might be hurt. Yet that sense of calm felt elusive. She moved from house to house, packing her meager belongings into boxes that barely held all her disappointments. Seven foster homes in four years left her feeling more like a passing visitor than a cherished daughter. She learned that each home had its own set of rules and temperaments. Some families tried to help her feel at ease, but others treated her like an inconvenience. She couldn’t shake the question in her head: “Does anyone truly want me here?”

She went to school, trying to focus on her studies, but her heart was constantly worried about where she’d sleep next. Outside observers might see a teen acting out, yet they’d rarely consider that trauma was fueling her behavior. Her book weaves together snapshots of these foster homes—the misunderstandings, the glimmers of hope, and the deep-rooted loneliness. She hopes readers will understand that behind every child in care is a story of missed opportunities.

Confronting the Shadows of Trauma

Sara’s experiences highlight the reality that just removing a child from an abusive environment doesn’t always resolve the damage. Abuse leaves lasting emotional marks—she discovered this firsthand when she found herself in a domestic abuse situation years after leaving care. It felt like her childhood suffering had laid the foundation for further harm. Through counseling, she realized trauma seeps into every corner of life, shaping your self-worth and your ability to trust others.

She started writing down her memories because her therapist suggested it might help her piece together the puzzle of her past. The result was powerful. Each recollection—whether it was a foster parent’s kind word or a moment of fear—surfaced in her writing. Her counselor noted these insights could be invaluable for social work students who rarely see the system from a foster child’s viewpoint. That gave Sara a new purpose: she wanted her pain to ignite better practices and deeper empathy.

She doesn’t criticize social workers or foster parents. She simply shows how their actions play out in a real child’s life. She believes many care professionals want to do good, yet they can overlook details that matter. Sara’s goal is to fill those knowledge gaps so future kids don’t fall between the cracks.

Healing Through Shared Stories

Sara’s background in Sociology allowed her to dive deeper into the why behind certain patterns in the foster system. She found research confirming that youth who age out of care often feel ill-prepared for adulthood. Her own story matches that reality—when she turned 19, she was thrust into the world with minimal support. She felt alone, uncertain how to manage her finances or handle daily challenges. Even though she had her degree, it couldn’t erase the profound emptiness that stems from a childhood of constant upheaval.

Leaving a career in sales and management to complete Diary of a Foster Kid was part of her healing. She wanted to finish what she’d started in those therapy sessions, making sense of the messy chapters of her life. Writing became both cathartic and motivating. Each page stood as evidence that she’d survived and that she could help others survive too.

Today, Sara encourages readers to remain alert. She stresses that if a gut feeling says a child is in trouble, report it—reach out to social workers, teachers, or community advocates. She believes a swift response can prevent years of suffering. Through her memoir, she also calls for stronger resources for kids aging out of care. It’s not enough to remove them from harm; they need tangible support, guidance, and a genuine sense of community as they move into adulthood.

Renewed Hope and Responsibility

Sara’s journey invites a collective sense of responsibility. Children deserve environments that foster growth, and those watching from the sidelines can play a vital role in making that happen. Sara’s experiences shed light on the heartbreaking consequences of silence, but they also highlight how empathy can change lives. One conversation could keep a child from slipping further into despair. One attentive adult could be the turning point that leads to a healthier future.

Diary of a Foster Kid: My Survival Story isn’t just an account of what went wrong. It’s an appeal for everyone—from neighbors and teachers to social workers and law enforcement—to take action when they sense a child is at risk. Sara’s words serve as a reminder: children who endure abuse aren’t just statistics. They’re people with dreams and hopes. By learning from her struggles, society can offer genuine support to those who need it most. That’s the legacy Sara hopes to leave behind.

 

We had the privilege of interviewing the author. Here are excerpts from the interview:

Thank you so much for joining us today! Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do.

My name is Sara, and I’m a former youth in care. I hope to help current and future youth in care. I went through foster care on Vancouver Island in BC, Canada. I want to bring to light what has happened and continues to happen in our small communities. This is my first time writing and it has been a crucial part of my healing journey.

Please tell us about your journey.

Seven years ago I was seeing a domestic abuse counselor who was trying to help me out of the domestic abuse situation I was in. We started narrative therapy to help me reframe my past so I wouldn’t continue to be a victim. When my counselor started reading what I wrote about my childhood and my experiences in foster care she said that her social work students could really benefit from reading what I had written. At that point, I started making a chronological timeline of my life and started writing in a way that would be engaging for readers. By the time I finished my Sociology degree I still hadn’t finished my book. It was only within the last year, when I left behind my career in sales and management to pursue my healing journey with my care team. Finishing this book has become part of my healing journey, but I think it could help others with their healing journies, too.

Please tell us about your book.

My book is a memoir of the trauma I experienced at the hands of my birth parents, my abrupt transition into foster care, the constant abandonment I experienced in foster care, the 7 foster homes I went through in 4 years, and aging out of foster care scared and alone. I did not write this book because I feel I am important; I wrote this book because I want current and future youth in care to know they are important. I want this book to be used as a learning tool for those who are directly affecting the lives of children and youth in foster care.

What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?

There have been many points in my life where I wanted to die or I thought I should have died, but something in the universe kept me here. I have learned that I am not powerless and I can create the life I deserve. I also have learned to listen to the universe and follow the signs it gives me to keep me on the right path. I used to think we are limited to the life that we are given and at the mercy of what was to happen to us. I know now how to harness my power, and I hope to teach others how to do the same.

Any message for our readers.

Where ever you are in life there will be something you can learn from this book. I learned a lot just from writing it. I learned how to see my story from different perspectives and take accountability for my part in my story. I have also learned to forgive myself for believing there was something wrong with me and forgive others for their actions or inactions that led me to where I am now. I particularly recommend this book as a guide for foster parents, social workers, and anyone who works with children and youth.

Thank you so much, Sara, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!