I came across this story on NPR this morning while on my way from driving my son to school.
I was moved by the portion of the story that says, “as parents, we don’t cease caring for our children and their needs and challenges simply because they turn 18, but in the vast majority of cases, that’s what happens to foster children ‘aging out’ of the system.”
New studies indicate that children who are currently ‘aging out’ of the system face immediate challenges that will effect them for the rest of their lives:
- Among girls more than half are likely to have children shortly after leaving the system.
- Among boys, there will likely be 60% or more who will be convicted of a crime before their 21st birthday.
I commend the story to you, your reflection and prayers.
I’ll leave you with a couple of questions that should be addressed by our churches.
- Does God cease to care and look after us when we’ve come of age?
- Can we as the church find an appropriate way to support these foster children who are ‘coming of age’ as they transition to independent lives?
I recommend to you this article by Deacon Frank Sterling who introduced a program at St. John’s, Oakland, CA, that paired parishioners with foster kids who had aged out of the system. The family featured in the photo have since made the young man in question part of their family.
http://www.diakonoi.org/diakoneo/Vol31-2.pdf
Laura
Those age out statistics are startling — looking for love and acceptance and affirmation… in place that cause more pain.
Thank you for bringing this to the faith community’s attention…
God uses you…
All’s grace,
Ann