Introduction

Every year about 20,000 youth age out of the foster care system to enter into the real world to go start a career, continue their education or begin a family. However, many struggle with this transition. “Many are homeless, poor, have trouble maintaining regular employment, and struggled to fulfil their healthcare needs.” (Reilly). Growing up in a very low income area, taught me to be very thankful for what I had and never to take anything for granted. I remember going through the school system many of my friends were on free or reduced lunch and other types of government assistance. One of my friends became homeless when she was only sixteen years old, when her mother left her and her younger brother in the middle of the night. She had no place to turn and was completely on her own. Many of her friends including me had no idea she was even homeless. After a few months of living alone, she found our local nonprofit organization Forward Paths. Forward Paths focuses on the homeless youth or youth just aging out of the foster care system. They provide housing, help individuals to develop job skills, and give them educational opportunities to help improve each individual’s life.