Thank you for your interest in supporting the growing number of young people who are leaving foster care and starting life on their own.
Youth Transitioning to Independence
Youth who have a history of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment and have grown up in foster care must overcome another challenging chapter in their lives once they reach the young age of 18. When youth in care turn 18 they are deemed ready for independence whether they have the financial means and supports to do so or not. They must leave the security of their foster/group home and only receive a small independent living allowance until they reach the age of 21 if they continue with school or a work related plan.
The needs of young people leaving care are complex. Often they leave with few supports and typically face a myriad of challenges in trying to succeed on their own. For high-risk youth who have little or no traditional family support, a history of real and perceived rejection, very limited material resources and often inconsistent adult support along with the task of preparing for adulthood and making the transition to independence is often a difficult and challenging time.
The majority of current and former youth in care have not completed high school and they are doubly disadvantaged when obtaining employment as few are equipped with job readiness skills or have access to the resources necessary to find a rewarding job/career. Research conducted in the USA & United Kingdom (Tweedle, 2005) on the outcomes of youth leaving care concluded that these youth are:
• More likely to be under-educated;
• More likely to be un-employed or under-employed;
• More likely to become a parent at a younger age;
• More likely to be incarcerated/involved in the criminal justice system and;
• More likely to experience homelessness.
How we can help
In December 2005, the Children’s Aid Foundation established a National Transition to Independence pilot program for high-risk youth who have grown up in the foster care system. Since then this program has enabled 233 high-risk youth to embark on a new chapter of their lives equipped with better supports, increased confidence and financial resources; all of which have helped them exit the foster care system and live on their own more successfully.
When youth in care leave foster or group care living situations to live on their own for the first time, they find themselves without the rudimentary equipment to live independently. Normally, young people “leaving home” secure these basic household items from family members, friends, as gifts or they simply go and purchase them with their parents. Youth in care cannot rely on these means to secure those household items. In addition, there are no start-up funding provisions available through government sources. Youth on independent living (also known as Extended Care and Maintenance) receive approximately $765.75 per month, plus $83.75 for transportation costs if they attend school. Once they turn 21 all support stops. This monthly allowance is not sufficient for youth to finance start-up household items while paying rent and buying groceries.
To aid in this transition the Children’s Aid Foundation helps to raise money for start-up kits, which contain basic household necessitates helping get our youth started on the right foot. These kits provide not only necessary household items but also a reassurance that there are people who believe these youth can make it on their own and can be independent.
To help give these youth a new beginning, click here to make a donation.
* You will be sent to our fundraising site managed by Artez.
A start-up kit valued at $250 contains:
• Set of sheets and a pillow
• Comforter or duvet
• Two towels and face cloths
• Alarm clock
• Dish towels and rags
• Plates, bowls, cups
• Frying pan
• Pot with a lid
• Cutlery
• Cooking knife
• Kitchen utensils
• Toothpaste and a toothbrush
• Toilet paper
A start-up cleaning kit valued at $150 contains:
• All-purpose cleaner
• Paper towels, rags and sponges
• Dish detergent
• Soap
• Broom and dust pan
• Garbage bags
• Toilet paper
• Laundry detergent