Think about the first time you moved out of your family home as a young adult. Maybe it was when you left for college. Or perhaps you started working right out of high school and moved in with a roommate or two. Along with the joy and freedom you experienced, it was most likely a bit nerve-wracking, as well. Did you call your parents when you had trouble budgeting your expenses and ran out of grocery money? Maybe you had an older sister who could help you write the perfect resume or an uncle who was a mechanic who could help you when your “check engine” light came on. We hope you had people you could depend on to guide and support you on your path to maturity. The transition to adulthood is a time of great potential for all young people, but youth who exit foster care without connections to caring adults have a hard road to travel.
Every May, we dedicate a month to Foster Care, a time to acknowledge the crucial role we can all play in supporting children, youth, and families. This year, the theme is “Engaging Youth. Building Supports. Strengthening Opportunities.” It underscores the necessity for young people to have equal opportunities to foster relationships with supportive adults who can guide them in their education, career development, and employment aspirations. By referring youth to federally funded services like housing, education, employment, health care, and family support, we can equip them with the tools they need to succeed. Discover more about the support these young adults require at https://www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth.
If you are interested in learning about becoming a foster parent in Wisconsin, please visit How Do I Become a Foster Parent? to find out more. You can also call us at 414-475-1246 or email us at info@coalitionforcyf.org.
Recommended Resources
From the Resource Library
- And Still I Rise: Foster Teens Going to College, by Youth Communication
Tip Sheets
