The new year is often a time to pause and look both backward and forward. It’s a chance to recognize how far we’ve come while imagining what might be next. For Eri, this moment feels especially meaningful. Right now, she is standing at the edge of several exciting new beginnings, carrying with her years of growth, confidence, and self-belief shaped in part by her time at Camp Starfish.
Celebrating Where She Is Now
Eri’s present is full of accomplishments worth celebrating. One of the biggest milestones came recently when she shared, “I officially got my diploma last week… I’m really excited about it. It was hard fought.” Graduating wasn’t just about finishing school, it was about learning to advocate for herself and trust her instincts about what she needed in order to succeed.
Alongside graduation, Eri has been stepping into creative spaces that once felt far outside her comfort zone. This past year, she began working with a modeling agency that focuses on inclusive and diverse casting. Since then, she has participated in photoshoots and even walked the runway at New England Fashion Week. Reflecting on that experience, she shared that being in front of the camera has been “a lot of fun,” even when it pushed her in new ways.
She also took initiative in building community. After losing touch with some close friends, Eri created a Discord server designed especially for neurodivergent people and allies to connect. In just a short time, the group grew quickly, giving her not only a way to support others but also a space where she could form new friendships herself. Reaching that goal was deeply meaningful, especially because connection and belonging have not always come easily.
Looking at all she is doing now, Eri sees a clear connection to her earlier experiences. “I don’t think I’d be able to get to do things like that without the experience I had from a very young age, at Starfish,” she shared.
Building Confidence at Camp Starfish
Eri first came to Camp Starfish in 2014. Like many first-time campers, she remembers feeling anxious. “I do remember being very nervous, because I’ve never really been away from my parents for that long before.” What camp offered was not pressure to change, but support to grow at her own pace.
One of the things that made Camp Starfish different for Eri was the way challenges were handled. “They try to push you to get out of your comfort zone, but they don’t force you,” she explained. In that environment, she felt safe enough to try new activities and learn that discomfort didn’t mean failure. Over time, those moments added up, slowly building confidence that would follow her far beyond camp.
Equally important was feeling understood. Eri shared that the staff “really understand people who have different needs and are really accommodating about it.” Whether it was flexibility around routines, individualized plans, or offering breaks and headphones when things felt overwhelming, camp was a place where she could be herself and still succeed.
Looking Ahead to What’s Next
As the new year begins, Eri is focused on the future. She is starting a new program at a clubhouse for neurodivergent young adults to work on life skills and independence, and she sees it as another step toward her long-term goals.
College is part of that picture. Eri plans to study communications, and she feels that camp helped prepare her for what lies ahead. “Staying away from home with people you don’t know, meeting new people, doing new things,” she explained, were all skills she practiced early on and continues to build today.
She is also working toward a deeply personal dream. Writing has always been one of her strengths, and she shared, “My biggest goal is always to publish a book.” She has already started writing every day, working toward a future where her story can be told in her own words.
Carrying the Lessons Forward
When asked what she would say to her younger self, Eri didn’t hesitate. “Don’t give up. It might seem hard right now, but things will get better. And there are people to help you.” That message captures both her journey and her hope for what comes next.
As Eri steps into this new year, she does so with confidence earned over time. From graduating, to walking a fashion runway, to building community online, and dreaming of college and authorship, she continues to move forward on her own path.
At Camp Starfish, we are proud to have been part of Eri’s story and grateful to watch her continue to grow. This new year holds many possibilities, and Eri is meeting them with courage, creativity, and belief in herself.
