Former Ward of the State Transitions to Self-Made Success

Former ward of the State, Anthony Harriott, has already navigated a journey many would consider daunting.

Entering the childcare system at just three years old alongside his brother and sister, he has since built an independent life.

Today, he is working, living on his own, and inspiring other young people in State care to believe in their potential and prepare for life beyond the system.

Mr. Harriott grew up in the care of SOS Children’s Village in Stony Hill, St. Andrew, where he spent most of his childhood and teenage years.

Removed from his parents’ custody at an early age, he recalls having little memory of life before entering State care.

“Based on what I was told… my parents’ care… wasn’t quite so conducive for me and my siblings… my twin brother and my sister,” Mr. Harriott shares.

What he does remember is the strong sense of family he experienced within the SOS system.

The former ward tells JIS News that daily life was structured and supportive, with house parents and other children creating a close knit environment that mirrored a traditional household.

“So, we saw the house mothers as mommy or aunt, and the other kids as our brothers and sisters,” Mr. Harriott informs.

Education was a central focus from the very beginning.

Mr. Harriott first attended the primary school operated by the institution before moving on to secondary school, where he began to understand his identity more fully as a child in State care.

“Initially, I was shy to admit that I came from a State run facility. But someone reminded me, ‘It’s not anything you did that landed you here’. That encouragement helped me to strive towards becoming a better version of myself,” he shares.

That shift in mindset, combined with a strong emphasis on education, proved pivotal.

Mr. Harriott says the emphasis placed on schooling and discipline left a lasting impression on him.

“Education is what opens doors and creates opportunities,” he notes, recalling the constant encouragement he received to stay focused on his studies and complete his examinations.

Mr. Harriott credits two individuals in particular with shaping his outlook – youth leader, Angela Richards and, at the time, Village Director, Jason Brown.

He notes that both played significant roles in mentoring him and reinforcing his belief in his own potential.

“Ms. Richards truly believed in me and often reminded me, ‘Anthony, you’re good, you’re awesome’… and Mr. Brown – his experience inspired us,” Mr. Harriott recalls.

Mr. Harriott remained in State care until June 2025, transitioning out of the system at age 22. By then, he had already been introduced to transitional living arrangements designed to prepare young people for independence.

Through budgeting lessons, financial management training, and supervised living in a transitional house, he learned how to manage bills, secure housing, and navigate daily responsibilities.

“They really gave us all the tools. I took budgeting courses, learned about finance, and was taught how to pay bills – I wasn’t lacking anything; I got all my tools,” the former ward explains.

The move to independent living, Mr. Harriott says, felt natural, adding “Transitioning now, living on my own, paying my bills – it’s like I was born and trained for this.”

Mr. Harriott also benefited from employment preparation initiatives during his time in State care.

Workshops in résumé writing, interview skills, and job readiness were offered through partnerships with organisations and corporate entities.

Additionally, Mr. Harriott participated in a work and travel programme in the United States, spending time in Nashville, Tennessee, and later in Boston, Massachusetts.

“We had people come on board and give their time, really investing in us. When it came to job selection and interviews, we already had an idea of what to do,” he tells JIS News.

Academically, Mr. Harriott pursued tertiary studies at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC), where he completed a Business Administration programme with a major in Information Systems Management.

Today, Mr. Harriott describes his life as fulfilling, both professionally and personally.

He continues to draw motivation from younger residents who once looked up to him while he was in State care, and he remains in contact with them, offering guidance as they prepare to transition out of the system.

Reflecting on the broader child protection system, Mr. Harriott believes continued support is essential for children in care, particularly in preparing them for independence.

“Give them more support – more workshops, more conversations, more opportunities to get ready for the outside world,” he urges.

The former ward’s message to those currently in the system is one of resilience and determination.

“You’re in State care now; it’s nothing you have done. Just work hard – you have ability just like anybody else. When you finish the work, you’ll see where you earn your rewards,” he says.

For Mr. Harriott, the journey from ward of the State to independent adult has been shaped by structure, mentorship, and opportunity.

Now firmly on his own path, he hopes his story will encourage others leaving care to believe that success is possible beyond the system.