While many graduates struggle to find careers they are passionate about, Biola alumna Victoria Stasiak (‘13) has found exactly that. The 25-year-old Victorville, Calif. native is a Direct Care Provider for foster children in Las Vegas, of whom are either living in foster homes, newly reunited with their biological parents, or who have been removed from their homes and are awaiting placement.


The children, who often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety, are unprepared to engage with society, which is why Stasiak counsels individual children in personalized ways to help them improve their self esteem, moral reasoning and social, communication and basic life skills.


Born and raised in Southern California, Stasiak said that relocating to Las Vegas never occurred to her — until the advertisement for her current position began appearing everywhere she went.


“I felt like God was calling me to Las Vegas, but I couldn’t understand why and I didn’t want to go … But [the job] was exactly what I wanted to do and what I had prepared for, so I stopped fighting and applied,” shared Stasiak.


Before graduating from Biola with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Stasiak studied music and wanted to be a high school music teacher. After a dark season of her life, she felt God calling her to change her major to psychology.


“Psychology was not my cup of tea for a long time. My life had been far too charmed … and my faith in the Lord was too shallow to withstand the field for quite some time,” said Stasiak. “It’s a dark world, working with traumatized children. I couldn’t do this if He hadn’t called me and empowered me to do it. And even in the darkness that is this world, I see clear evidence of His grace working in these families’ lives and it gives me hope.”


Stasiak briefly worked with one 12-year-old girl who had deep trust issues with adults after being removed from an abusive home environment. Before doing “work,” Stasiak worked to establish a relationship with her — but the girl communicated her fear of trust.


Stasiak told her, “... take your time. It’s okay right now. You’re healing. But don’t stay like this forever. No one can live this life alone — we need people … eventually you’ll find someone who is worth the risk, and you’ll trust them.’”


After Stasiak spoke those powerful words, the girl opened up and wanted to work towards healing and growth.


“I didn’t expect to be that person who would help her start to build trust again, and it was the biggest blessing,” said Stasiak.


For Stasiak, her time at Biola is what helped prepare her to enter her current field.


“Biola’s academic departments prepare your mind to do what God has called you to do,” said Stasiak. “But the whole Biola experience prepares your soul and your spirit for going out into the world and making a difference for Christ. It’s doing ministry in the community alongside brothers and sisters … It’s the encouraging note from a random stranger dropped into your mailbox, letting you know that they see you, that they’re praying for you and to keep going.”


As for the future, Stasiak made it clear that she’s reflecting on her current experience while preparing for whatever lies ahead.


“[I’m] learning about the incredible God who brought me to this place in my life, learning about who I am and who I’m becoming in Him, and learning about how to best utilize the gifts and experiences I have to reach this broken world in his name,” said Stasiak. “I’m waiting and ready for whatever it is He holds for me.”


Written by Rachel Allan, iBiola reporter. For more information, contact Jenna Loumagne, media relations specialist, at 562.777.4061 or jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu. Photo taken by Rachel Koeppen.