Aging Out Part 2: Getting Involved

01 Oct Aging Out Part 2: Getting Involved

Many are under the impression that all support ends when a child ages out of the foster care system. However, in many ways, this is not the case. While it is true that they may lose the stability of a home and access to counselors, they have many other assets to utilize. There are a plethora of resources that are easily accessible to anyone in need and there are just as many available to those that want to help. From simple donation sites, to mentorship and housing programs, the sky’s the limit when it comes to helping these individuals in need. 

For those who have the means to do so, there are numerous donation sites only a Google search away. You may have heard of GoFundMe, which is a great place to start, but it is an all-or-nothing platform. This means that if the fundraiser doesn’t meet its goal, the person in need gets nothing. If you are interested in taking things a step further, you can check out sources like Foster Love Project, Foster Care Support Foundation, or Garrett’s Place as well as the other sources linked on our website. Donating money and supplies is a great way to help foster kids if you don’t have a lot of time or resources but you still want to help. Even something that you deem small or insignificant can have a meaningful, effective impact on someone else’s life. If you spend $5 on a cup of coffee every morning, consider skipping it one or two times and spending that $5 on a donation to a foster youth in need. Every little thing helps, so don’t think that there’s nothing you can do.   

If you have a little more time and maybe not as much money to spend, volunteering is a fantastic way to get more involved. For example, Garrett’s Place, a free online store for foster kids, offers opportunities for volunteers to sort boxes and stock shelves full of donated items, or even work with the foster kids to pick out their items from the store. They also offer school service clubs, ambassador programs, and youth groups, all of which are great options for those looking to get physically involved. If you’re willing to work, but not for free, you can apply at places like Foster Care Support Foundation. They provide warehouse, store clerk, and program assistant positions for anyone who can help, and as of August 14, 2024, they are open and hiring. In a world where human kindness is so necessary yet so scarce, this kind of help is exactly what these young people need. 

While donating and volunteering are exceptional ways to help, they are also extremely necessary. Foster kids should always know that there is someone out there to help them, but the unfortunate truth is they aren’t always aware of their options. This is why mentorship programs are vital for struggling ex-foster youth. If you are someone who really wants to get involved, you can become a mentor and create genuine connections with these kids. You can give them advice and talk to them about whatever they need. Organizations that work with foster kids are always in need of help, and a few good mentoring organizations are Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Mentoring.org, and Forever Family. Forever Family also offers other ways to help, such as graduation gifts you can buy for foster kids, employment opportunities for ex-foster youth, and low-cost housing for foster kids. With the economy and housing market being what they are right now, underprivileged people need access to shelter. They shouldn’t just be surviving, they should be thriving. Helping an ex-foster kid stay off the streets is a lot more accomplishable than people think, and low-cost housing programs are an excellent way to achieve this goal. 

If you or someone you know is interested in getting involved with helping aging-out kids in the foster system, these are just a few of the ways to get started. Every small step towards helping a child in need counts. There is no such thing as an insignificant touch of kindness when it comes to these kids. From donations to volunteering, mentorship to getting involved in a program to advocate for aging-out foster youth, there is no limit to how much you can help. It just begins with knowing what’s out there to get involved and get started. It all starts with YOU.