Special Topics
"Aging Out: What Happens When You've Grown Up in Foster Care and Suddenly You're on Your Own?"
For Youth
AGING OUT is a film about young people like yourselves. It's about the challenges you face and the strength you show on your journey to adulthood. Around the country right now, thousands of young people like you are watching AGING OUT. Some of you might see situations with David, Risa, and Daniella that seem familiar. Youth in foster care often speak of a system that is always 'dogging' them or setting the bar too low for what is expected of them.
Here are some ways you can take your experiences and turn them into positive change:
- Share your stories and your ideas for improving foster care. Because you know the system firsthand, whether you realize it or not, you can be one of the most powerful advocates for yourself and others with similar experiences. You can pass along the knowledge you gained to those who are younger than you. And most of all, you can get together with others, organize your efforts, and speak with one voice about the issues you face.
- Participate in a youth leadership board. There are youth leadership boards all around the country, and more are starting all the time. Youth boards can help you realize that you are not alone in your journey into adulthood. And they can help you learn how to be an effective advocate for change. A good place to start is by asking other young people, your foster parent, caseworker, independent living counselor, or a trusted adult if they know about youth leadership boards in your area. Or review the list of some of the youth leadership boards in your area posted on the Web.
Here are some other ways you can be an advocate for yourself and others:
- Write letters to the editor of your local newspaper and tell them about the issues that youth in foster care are facing.
- Share your opinions with your local, state, and federal representatives. Also, once you turn 18, don't forget to register to vote!
Also, be sure to check out these other resources for youth:
- fyi3.com stands for youth who are Involved, Informed, and Independent. This site has some great ideas on how to help yourself and other foster kids make the transition from foster care to independence, including information about scholarships, independent living programs and youth boards. Plus it's a great way to make your voice heard and read what other youth in foster care are saying about what's working for them.
- Youth Communication is the publisher of Represent, a monthly magazine for youth in care that is written and edited by youth. Each issue covers issues that youth in care deal with all the time, like mental health, money woes, jobs, and navigating the foster care system.
- The Mockingbird Society is an independent, non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the safety, quality of life, and future of the children and adolescents living in the foster care/group home system nationwide. They publish The Mockingbird Times, a newspaper written by youth in foster care.
