Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Cantrell.
Hi Michael, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in foster care, and that experience has shaped so much of who I am. It wasn’t an easy road — there were times I felt lost, alone, and unsure where I fit in. But those experiences also taught me strength, compassion, and how deeply people need support and understanding.
When I found Footprints Outreach & Support, it felt like discovering a family I didn’t know I had. At first, I joined just looking for connection and guidance, but over time, it became a place where I could grow and give back. I started sharing my story, helping others who were walking similar paths, and learning that my past could actually help someone else find hope.
Being part of Footprints has helped me heal and find purpose. It’s shown me that even though my beginnings were tough, they gave me a heart for helping others and a determination to create change. I’m still growing every day, but now I do it knowing that my story — and the stories of others like me .
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Growing up in foster care came with a lot of uncertainty — moving from place to place, adjusting to new environments, and trying to figure out who I could really trust. I struggled a lot with feeling unwanted and questioning my own worth. There were times I felt like I had to grow up too fast just to survive.
Even after leaving care, things didn’t magically get easier. I had to learn how to be independent without much guidance, and there were moments when I felt completely alone. Finding my voice and learning to ask for help was a big challenge, but it’s something Footprints Outreach & Support helped me with. Through them, I learned that it’s okay to lean on others and that healing takes time.
Those struggles taught me resilience and gave me a deeper empathy for others who are going through hard times. The road hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has helped me grow into someone stronger and more determined to make it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Footprints Outreach & Support Inc., I’m involved in helping young people who have experienced foster care, homelessness, or other difficult life transitions. A big part of what I do is mentoring and offering peer support — being someone they can talk to who truly understands what they’re going through because I’ve been there myself. I also help organize outreach events, connect youth with resources, and share my story to encourage others to keep moving forward.
What I’m most proud of is being able to turn my own experiences into something that helps others heal and grow. There was a time when I didn’t think my story had value, but now I see that it can bring hope and connection to people who feel alone. Watching someone start to believe in themselves again — and knowing I played even a small part in that — is the most rewarding feeling.
What sets me apart is my lived experience and my genuine passion for helping others rise above their circumstances. I don’t just speak from theory — I speak from the heart, from the reality of having walked a similar path. Footprints has given me the space to transform pain into purpose, and I’m proud to now be part of a community that does the same for so many others.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality that’s been most important to my success is resilience. Growing up in foster care taught me how to keep going even when things felt impossible. Life didn’t always give me the easiest path, but I learned how to adapt, stay hopeful, and find strength in the middle of uncertainty.
That resilience is what allows me to connect with others at Footprints Outreach & Support. I can sit with someone who’s struggling and remind them that they’re not alone — because I’ve been there too. It’s not just about bouncing back, but about growing through what you go through.
Resilience has helped me turn pain into purpose, and that mindset continues to guide everything I do — in my personal life, in my work, and in the way I support others finding their own strength.
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