When Isaac was just 11 years old, he found himself navigating adult responsibilities most kids wouldn’t dream of. Living in a shelter with his mother, Isaac took it upon himself to complete their SNAP enrollment paperwork while his mom searched for work.
It’s 7:45 a.m. in Portland, Oregon, and Noah Gerber is already on the move. As an Independent Living Program specialist with Youth Villages, his office is wherever the young people he works with are.
No child dreams of being in foster care. A loving, stable family is the standard we all hope for. But not every child is born into ideal circumstances.
There was a time when Sidney couldn’t imagine what her future would look like. Now, at 19, she’s building one on her own terms, with strength she never knew she had.
Youth involved in the child welfare system disproportionately face mental health challenges compared to those living with their parents. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 80% of youth in foster care experience a mental health challenge.
More than 70 young adults with experience in the foster care system in Middle Tennessee gathered to celebrate graduations ranging from HiSET (high school equivalency) certificates to post-secondary degrees.
Unlike their peers, many young people who have foster care often lack basic financial literacy skills. While some of these skills are taught in school or other programs, many former foster youth missed out on learning skills such as budgeting, opening bank accounts or filing taxes.
On May 1, the Youth Villages community gathered in Boston for Red Kite Nite, the annual gala supporting the LifeSet program. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, this year’s event raised more than $850,000, helping bring LifeSet to every young adult who needs it.
Aidan is a student at North Carolina State University with a clear vision for his future. He’s balancing school, work and preparing for life after graduation. On the surface, it’s a typical college experience. But Aidan’s path to this point has been anything but typical.
A Tennessee bill with bipartisan support could give more young adults who have aged out of the foster care system the safety net they need, longer. The bill, which comes from Gov. Bill Lee’s administration, would increase the qualifying age to receive benefits under the Extension of Foster Care program from 18 to 21 years old, to 18 to 23 years old.