HopeWell

Foster Youth They believe that all young people are entitled to a secure and stable family. However, some parents struggle to provide their children with a safe environment - Massachusetts alone serves more than 10,000 children and young adults in foster care annually. These youth represent one of the country’s most severely disconnected and at-risk populations. Many of them have experienced severe trauma and neglect and, as a result, are highly vulnerable to homelessness, unemployment, under-education, and poverty as adults. The Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth: Outcomes, a study of how foster youth fare as they transition to adulthood, revealed that by age 26, Nearly 40% of foster youth will be homeless or couch surf. 20% of foster youth will not have a high school diploma or GED. Less than 5% of foster youth will graduate from a 4-year college. Over 70% of female and 50% of male foster youth will be parents, compared to 41% and 28% of their peers. Nearly 43% of female and 74% of male foster youth will have been incarcerated, compared to 6% and 23% of their peers. More than half of foster youth will be unemployed, compared to only 2 in 10 of their peers. Foster youth have the same hopes, dreams, and goals as other young people, and they, too, deserve the chance to have a bright future. They find, train, and support loving families to help these children overcome their often-challenging pasts and develop into healthy and successful adults. They’ve found that with the right support, they are able to thrive. Read the stories of Justin, Ezraa, and the Almeidas. Become a Foster Parent: Foster parents are a critical component of HopeWell’s mission, and we are always in need of loving families to open their homes to children of all ages. Contact Us.