Intro

You and the System

Kicked to the Curb at 21 p1
Rick Bullard

Rick describes how he found himself leaving foster care at age 21 with "no money, no prospects, no future." He thinks his independent living program could have been more helpful but he also realizes that he was responsible for his dilemma.

Going Out on My Own…Am I Ready? p4
Tanya Soto

Tanya describes her fears and hopes on the verge of leaving her group home for an independent living apartment. She acknowledges her anxieties but she also takes a positive attitude, draws strength from her past successes, and assumes responsibility for her own transition to young adulthood.

Are We Prepared to Leave the System? p7
Tanya Soto

In this companion piece to Going Out on My Own Tanya interviews teens about how they deal with fears about getting a job, finding an apartment, and having enough money.

Too Little, Too Late: We Need Help Before We Age Out p9
Tieysha McVay

Tieysha's priority as she ages out is to finish college even if it means she cannot get her own place right away. She's disappointed that she has to move in with her mom for awhile but she doesn't let her discontent force her into a bad decision. She urges youth in care to learn everything they can about making it on their own way before they must leave the system.

Taking Steps

It Wasn't Easy, But I Did It: How I Found My Job p12
Sharif Berkeley

Sharif offers advice about looking for work and tells how he landed a job at Macy's. Most importantly he stresses the importance of a positive attitude and persistence.

How to Ace Your Job Interview p15
Craig Jaffe

Craig suggests some strategies for doing well in an interview.

How I Overcame My Fear of Applying to College p17
Debra Samuels

Debra urges youth not to let their fears about applying to college cause them to abandon that dream. Along the way she describes her experiences with taking the SAT's, getting letters of recommendation, writing the application essay, staying at her group home over school holidays, and using her foster care experience to enhance her application.

At Long Last-My Own Place! 20
Angi Baptiste

Angi gets her own apartment as part of her agency's independent living program. It works out because her agency's IL program is very effective and because she takes responsibility for making this opportunity work.

Keep the Future in Mind:
Save Now-or Pay When You Age Out p23
Ralph Tarrant

Ralph emphasizes budgeting and saving money for that inevitable rainy day. As he says: "So, to my fellow residents, act as if you're on your own already and as if your future depends upon everything you do now…because it does!"

An Apology to All Group Home Cooks p26
Lenny Jones

Lenny didn't think much of group home cooks until he had to cook for himself.

Breaking Away

From Group Home Child to College Success p29
Tamecka Crawford

Tamecka struggles through her first semester at school and starts to blame her problems on being in foster care. Then she realizes that self pity is not helping, and she finds some ways to get help.

First Day on the Job: Rush Hour at Macy's p32
Sharif Berkeley

Sharif faces impatient customers, uncooperative cash registers, and his self-doubts on his first day on the job. With a little help and his own resilience he proves he can do the job.

To All Foster Youth: You Can End the Madness p35
Mario Drummonds

Mr. Drummonds, now head of a community-based health care agency, draws on his 17 years of being in care suggests a four-step plan for success.

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Questions for Writing and Discussion p39