ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A foster parent shortage is plaguing the nation. It’s being called the foster care crisis, and the American Society for the Positive Care of Children says it can be attributed to the increase of children being placed into care.

There is a nationwide foster parent shortage

Perla Canela entered the foster care system at 15

She lived in five different foster homes

Buncombe County has more than 250 kids who need a home to go to

In Buncombe County, the shortage is making Perla Canela, who grew up in foster care, share her story in hopes others will help.

Her life has been no walk in the park. To deal with the stressors she's faced, Canela draws at the Blue Ridge Parkway.

"I would always come here if I was sad," Canela said of the national park. "I would come here and just just let nature take care of it."

Up until five years ago, Canela was still living with her dad and godmother who raised her.

"It just became super abusive, controlling and then my dad he started sexually abusing me,” she said.

At 15, she confided in a friend about what was happening at home. He convinced her to get help. After a home visit, hospital visit and a meeting with a social worker who asked her if she felt safe going back home that day, her life changed for the better.

"I took that chance, and I was like, 'I don't feel safe, I don't want to go back home,' and I stayed there till 12 in the morning because they couldn't find me a placement because of my age," Canela said."I took that chance, and I was like, 'I don't feel safe, I don't want to go back home,' and I stayed there till 12 in the morning because they couldn't find me a placement because of my age," Canela said. "It was really hard but once 12 hit, there was a phone call. She took me in and it just changed everything.”

That began her journey in foster care where she ended up staying in five different homes over the next three years.

"For me, it was a much better experience than bad just because I would do anything to get out of my situation, and so I was happy to be in foster care," Canela said.

In Buncombe County, more than 340 children are in the foster care system. Currently, around 30 children are awaiting adoptive families, and more than 250 children in care need foster families, according to Buncombe County Health and Human Services.

"There's so many kids that are going through these conflicts, and sometimes they can't be taken out of the toxic household because we just don't have the space," Canela said. "And I do want those kids to be saved because I was that kid."

Canela attributes her success in life now to her foster parents, life coaches and social workers. Now, she works to help others.

"I think when I entered foster care, just realizing that there's hope for people like me made me want to help other people like me," Canela said.

She’s a community health worker helping connect people with the resources they need. Canela works for the nonprofit, Unete, which one of her mentors leads.

For anyone who wants to get involved, a foster parent licensing course is required in Buncombe County. You can find more information, here.