The system is broken.
In the US, more than 330,000 children are placed in foster care.
This can happen when parents face addiction, mental health issues, incarceration, sudden health crises, or even death. The system is supposed to protect these kids, but it often fails.
Here’s the harsh reality for foster youth:
● Education: Approximately 70% of foster youth earn a high school diploma or GED by their mid-20s, compared to 95% of youth overall.
● Homelessness: 1 in 4 foster youth experience homelessness by age 21.
● Incarceration: Nearly 1 in 3 foster youth experience incarceration by age 20.
● Employment: Only about 57% of foster youth are employed by age 21.
● Mental Health: Foster youth face PTSD at roughly twice the rate of war veterans.
When the system ages them out, foster youth face homelessness, unemployment, prison, and even human trafficking.
● Foster Care and Incarceration: More foster youth experience incarceration than earn a college degree.
● Foster Care and Homelessness: Many are left without the resources or support system most young adults rely on.
● Foster Care and Unemployment: Even by age 26, young adults who aged out of foster care face employment rates roughly 20% lower than peers with comparable education levels.
● Foster Care and Mental Health: Foster youth are 62% more likely to face mental health challenges—including depression, anxiety, and PTSD—than their peers.
Here’s how we break the cycle:
Real support that goes way beyond the system.
Through connection, community, and empowerment, we restore hope to individuals who need it the most.