When you meet Hannah Tacket, you can’t help but be inspired. At just 20 years old, Hannah is a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, majoring in History Pre-Law with a minor in Criminology. She’s on track to graduate in 2027—the first in her family to earn a degree—and she’s already planning for many more. But Hannah’s story didn’t start here. At 16, she entered foster care. Like many youth in care, her focus was survival, not the future. “I knew I wanted to be something,” Hannah says, “but it felt extremely limited because of the life I was living.” Everything changed when Hannah transitioned into Necco’s Independent Living program. Moving from foster care to independence wasn’t easy, but Necco provided the support she needed—housing, guidance, and a caseworker who became more than just a professional. “Heidi is probably the best one I’ve ever had,” Hannah shares. “I look forward to seeing her every week. It feels like my friend’s over, not just someone doing their job.” That support gave Hannah the confidence to dream big. Today, she’s thriving—living in her own apartment, excelling in college, and serving as a student ambassador. Her advice to teens in foster care? “Foster care is not where your life ends. You can accomplish anything. Independent Living has taken my life to a whole new level.” Hannah’s story is proof that with the right support, foster youth can overcome challenges and achieve greatness. But there are more young people like Hannah who need someone to believe in them. To watch her full story, click here.. Help a foster youth succeed. Click here to refer someone to Necco’s Independent Living program today.
