The Problem
New York State is home to approximately 20,000 young people living in foster care. In 2012, just over 4,000 college age youth either remained in care or exited the foster care system.
When compared to young people in the general population, youth in foster care have lower levels of employment and earnings, and are more likely to rely on public benefits, and experience homelessness.
Only one in five youth in fostercare who are of college-going age or aging out of foster care ever set foot on a college campus—about a third the rate of the general population. And only 3 percent ever graduate!.
The Goal
The mission of the Alliance is to improve the socioeconomic, health, housing, and educational outcomes for youth in care and aging out of care in NYS by collaboratively advocating for effective policies.
The Alliances’ first initiative is to advocate for the establishment of a statewide FOSTER COLLEGE SUCCESS initiative to not only help youth in foster care get to college by providing the financial supports to close the severe funding gaps they face, but also provide much needed campus based social, emotional, and academics supports to graduate.
Make your voice heard and support young people like Janelle, (first year student at St. Lawrence University) get the services they need to excel in college and succeed in life!
You can support the Alliance by staying up-to-date and helping to advocate for policy changes. Sign up to stay informed on the Alliance’s events and initiatives throughout the State!
We need to reach 100 supporters by December 31, 2014! Please forward to your networks!
The Pledge
I support the FOSTERING YOUTH SUCCESS ALLIANCE!