For the many youth leaving foster care, there is no safety net. Each year, nearly 20,000 youth emancipate or “age out” of the foster care system, about 1,000 in Illinois alone. Young adults are often discharged from care with no one to call family and nowhere to go. Without a support network, many fall prey to homelessness, trafficking, incarceration, and/or drug abuse.
But we can change that!
Safe Families for Children – Chicago has formed Safe Families PLUS. This program provides caring mentors to youth ages 14 to 21 as they transition to adulthood. Mentors come alongside the youth to provide them with caring support that endures. Through consistent, one-on-one contact, mentors help youth explore their self-identity, talents, strengths, career interests and open their eyes to new experiences.
If you or someone you know in the Chicagoland area wants to mentor a youth in foster care, please click below to learn more. Learn more about Safe Families PLUS.