Foster-care kids need a chance to succeed

TRANSITIONING FROM adolescence to young adulthood is an arduous feat for anyone. Imagine going through this transition at 18, alone – looking for housing, maintaining a job, going to school, and balancing your finances. The task now seems almost impossible, and being successful feels unattainable. For many young people “aging out” or transitioning from foster care, this is their reality. As a former foster youth who recently reached adulthood, I have faced some of these challenges. In my case, my success was a direct result of the emotional support I received from my biological family and other adult mentors, as well as my direct access to helpful services. As a result, at 25, I could successfully complete graduate school, maintain my housing and move forward into my career.