Transitioning out of foster care into independent adulthood presents numerous challenges for young adults. Many foster children leave care carrying only a large plastic bag with all their belongings inside. The scene is not at all unusual. No matter how meager, all their belongings boil down to one large trash bag.
Newsflash! These kids are not trash! Many rags-to-riches stories have come from kids just like this, kids whose parents were unable to care for them for a myriad of reasons. Many of these kids have no idea how to get the help that they need.
Sadly, some of these kids will turn into street kids. Homeless teens and young adults who have nowhere to go and no means to support themselves. It’s tragic. Worse, by living on the streets, they are exposed to dangers that are often swept under the rug and ignored.
In short, these kids have fallen through the cracks. They need help. Turning 18 as a foster child shouldn’t equal moving out of their foster homes unless they’ve graduated high school and are able to care for themselves.
This is where Safety Net steps in. We provide essential support, from paying utility bills and providing bus passes for school and work to stocking their kitchens with food and supplying necessities like toilet scrubbers and other seldom-considered necessities.
Have you ever been a foster kid or a foster parent? What are your thoughts on these kids who are falling through the cracks?
Did this story resonate with you? Consider sharing on social media and ignite conversations that can make a difference.
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