The Middletown High School graduate spent most of his childhood bouncing from home to home in the state’s foster care system.
“It sucked. It really did,” Garcia said. “The reason I was placed [into foster care] was traumatizing to say the least, and I had behavioral issues, like any other kid who’s rebellious.”
“My journey to get here was long and tedious,” he added.
Garcia’s life changed for the better when he met Boys Town New England‘s Director of Development Glenn Hofmann. He first crossed paths with Hofmann while living at the Boys Town’s family home in Portsmouth. Garcia said his time at Boys Town shaped him and provided him with the hope and determination to move forward. “The community there felt more like the family that I never had,” Garcia said.
Garcia kept in touch with Hofmann even after the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) moved him into a semi-independent home in Providence. Hofmann told 12 News he’s thrilled to see how far Garcia has come. “It’s incredible to listen to him, honestly,” Hofmann said. “I always say Boys Town is so sad, yet so happy at the same time.” Garcia, who graduated from high school earlier this month and will be attending Nichols College this fall, now works four nights a week at Hemenway’s Restaurant in Providence.
The 18-year-old’s inspiring story captured the hearts of the Newport Kiwanis Club, which selected him as this year’s recipient of the Robert Smith Memorial Scholarship. Garcia plans to put the $3,000 scholarship toward his tuition.
“My life went from being a deadbeat to going to Nichols College,” Garcia said. “I graduated on time, which is wonderful, and I got accepted into every college I applied for.” Garcia’s goal is to graduate from Nichols College with a hospitality degree and eventually work full-time for the Newport Restaurant Group, which owns Hemenway’s.
“I want to work my way up to being a general manager,” he said. “I want to inspire the younger generation to work their way up to success the way I have.” Hofmann told 12 News that Garcia has already inspired him.
“Just to see where Cody came from and where he’s going in the future … it’s hard to put into words,” Hofmann said. “Nichols has no idea how lucky they are that Cody Garcia is going to be there, because I can guarantee you that, in four years, he’s going to be one of their stars.” Garcia’s overall goal in life is to pay it forward.
“I want this to be a message to the rest of the kids in the foster care system,” he said. “You matter and can accomplish whatever you want to.”
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