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SteppingForwardLA.org
Foster Youth
“I feel very humbled and thankful to be part of this experience. I am glad that I have a group of people on my side that wants to support me and spend time getting to know me. Truly a beautiful experience.” age 24, female
Every year in Los Angeles alone, there is more than 1,000 foster youth that age out of the system without getting adopted or returning to their biological families. These young adults have grown up in a state agency, Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), that is overwhelmed, unable to properly protect them and has high turn over rates and workloads preventing staff from truly taking care of foster youth's needs.
Our programs help the young adults get their feet on the ground, set goals, connect with resources and people who can support them and inspire the young adults to take action in their own lives. We want to encourage young adults to be self-sustainable while also regaining trust in adults, each other and themselves.
Congresswoman Karen Bass is a huge advocate on behalf of current and former foster youth. She helps educate and involve others on the needs of foster youth and important changes that need to be made.
When she is asked what current and former foster youth need, she responds, "The same things that your child, or any child, needs."
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