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Why we should care for youth who have aged out of foster care

Today is National Aging out of Foster Care Awareness Day

The transition to adulthood is one most will face with a family cheering them on and serving as a backbone when life throws curveballs. When someone ages out of the foster care system, there is a lack of support in every area of adult life. 

Seeing that lack of support, Buckner International created the National Aging Out of Foster Care Awareness Day, which falls on May 31. The awareness day focuses on the more than 23,000 youths who turn 18 with no permanency, and seemingly nowhere to turn at the end of their time in foster care. 

According to the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare, one in four of America's foster youth are homeless within four years of leaving foster care. Less than 3% will graduate with a bachelor's degree. And according to the National Foster Youth Institute, 50% of the homeless population nationwide spent time in foster care.

Youth aging out

National Aging Out of Foster Care Awareness Day is so important because it's bringing awareness to the services available to youth across the country who've aged out of foster care.

"We really want to bring awareness to the fact that there is support for youth who aged out of care, and that we're here to help with that," said Bekah Coggins, director of transition services for Buckner Children and Family Services. "We want them to establish life skills and be comfortable taking care of themselves and their families and to contribute to their communities around them."

Learn more about National Aging Out of Foster Care Awareness Day and how you can help vulnerable foster youth in your community.

Comments

Casey Puriefoy says:
That sounds like a great idea! I will say from first-hand experience as a former foster kid of eight years who was declared an emancipated minor at 16 years old. About 25,000 kids age out of the system annually, and within 18 months, 5,000 will face homelessness. I was one of the lucky ones who already had a full-time job, a vehicle, and an apartment by then. Seeing others helping lead the fight for a better care system is encouraging. My blog is also dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation to be better prepared when they age out into the real world.
Denise Rodgers says:
I am interested in becoming a foster Parent- I want to help the youth within
Buckner Communications says:
Casey - thank you so much for sharing a glimpse into your story. We hope to support and encourage those facing the reality of aging out of care.
Buckner Communications says:
Denise - Thank you for your interest in serving vulnerable children! A member of our Buckner Foster Care and Adoption team will be reaching out to you. In the meantime, feel free to register for one of our virtual informational meetings for foster care and adoption.

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