The Star News: SBCS and Foster Youth

The Star News (2008, July 25)

Group doing its part to improve life for forgotten youth

by Patty Chavez

Foster care is often referred to as a system. But this system is made up of our children whose lives, like most of us, are shaped by each experience. They enter this system alone – our social refugees – removed from their home, many because of physical and emotional abuse, neglect or abandonment. While some may be adopted, reunited with family or find the right permanent foster family, many face instability as they move from placement to placement. It is not uncommon to hear that a child has moved 15 times to different homes not to mention new schools and new surroundings.

The transition into adulthood is even more difficult. Our norm today is for many young adults to remain at home with their parents. Yet for a foster youth in long-term care, support ends at 18 and for emancipated youth even sooner. They transition to adulthood alone often with no guidance, financial support, shelter or sense of place. They are among the highest at risk to end up homeless, unemployed or in prison. The statistics are alarming.

There is more than half a million foster youth in the U.S., a 90% increase since 1987. In San Diego County there are approximately 6,300 in foster care. Recent studies have found that 12-18 months after leaving foster care:

33% experience homelessness. As a matter of fact, three in 10 of the nation’s homeless are former foster children.
27% of the males and 10% of the females are incarcerated. In prisons alone, 70% of inmates have been through the foster care system.
33% receive public assistance
37% did not finish high school
50% are unemployed
84% become a parent

It doesn’t have to be so. Behind these startling statistics are stories of youth who faced the challenges and triumphed; and the people, places and programs who offered the support for them to meet their potential.

In San Diego County, about 400 young people age out of foster care annually. There are various agencies and programs throughout the county that offer transitional housing, education, medical care and mentoring. Locally, South Bay Community Services (SBCS) provides a variety of programs for about 150 current and former foster youth annually. The impact of organizations such as SBCS and the community volunteers who give of their time and energy for these young people is evident.

In Chula Vista, SBCS’s Trolley Trestle and the new THP-plus offers affordable transitional housing for former foster youth and parenting youth ages 16 -24 while they finish school or complete job training. Collectively, there is space for about 38 residents for this two year program. During their stay, youth are provided with various services to help them meet their goals, such as counseling, life skills, job readiness training, financial literacy, mentoring and case management. SBCS also offers Independent Living Skills, a series of educational classes and services; and EXCEL, a job readiness training and internship placement program.

Beyond being a foster parent, there are various ways in which the community supports foster children. From teaching how to cook a basic meal to a whole turkey feast, to offering internship opportunities or special day events, these connections leave a lasting presence in the life of these young people. One of my favorite stories from Trolley Trestle is of Brian who had experienced serious trauma in his life. At 19, he had been moved around more than 20 times and he struggled with depression and lack of motivation. He seemed destined to become one of the statistics. But a donated bicycle that was given to him “as his very own” is what opened the door to what was possible. People cared and he started caring too.

Because of agencies like SBCS, programs like Trolley Trestle and community members who give of themselves, Brian is not alone in his success. In SBCS programs alone, 12 residents of Trolley Trestle are enrolled in college, two in trade school and three graduated from high school. One is even on her way to USC’s film school. In the Independent Living Skills programs, 28 graduated from high school, 12 enrolled in college and two in trade school. And multiple EXCEL youth are already receiving internship opportunities.

Statistics aren’t a given. We have the power to change them – together.

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