To adult readers

How to use these stories:

The simplest way to use these stories with teens (or in staff training) is as discussion-starters. Have everyone read a story (or read it aloud) and then ask each person to name one thing that stood out for them in the story. You'll be on your way to an illuminating discussion. We've also provided a list of questions to help you spark discussion (see pg. 39).

About these stories:
We hope this booklet will teach young people valuable lessons about making the shift from foster care to independent living. The stories in it were written by teens for a magazine in New York City called Foster Care Youth United. They were getting ready to leave the system or had just left it. Young readers will get a close look at what it meant for these young people to ease themselves away from group homes or other living arrangements. They'll read about going to college, finding a job, setting up an apartment, and learning how to cook. They'll read about the fears and hopes that all young people share as they strive to become independent young adults.

Adult readers will get a glimpse into the fears and hopes of young people about to leave the system. As you read the stories you will find three themes emerging from the stories: resilience, getting help, and self-reliance.
Resilience. Time and time again these young writers found themselves faced with stressful situations and hard decisions. Each time they persisted, despite their fears, doubts and disadvantages as they tried to realize their goals.

Getting help. We all know that going out on your own is tough, even with the help of an intact family. These stories remind us how crucial it is for young people to find support-from peers, counselors, teachers, mentors-as they adjust to their new lives. Yet how to get this help is not obvious to many young people and these stories demonstrate how many adults are willing to help young people.

Self-reliance. These stories equate success with taking responsibility for your own actions and being responsible for the choices you make. Getting help is important, but all the assistance in the world will not help someone who can't or won't be responsible for their own lives.

All of these stories originally appeared in the magazine Foster Care Youth United which is published by Youth Communication, a teen journalism and youth development program founded in 1980. We would like to thank the Public Welfare Foundation for supporting the creation of this booklet.

To teen readers

This booklet contains the wisdom of teens like yourself who have the same concerns you do, and the same drive to make it no matter what obstacles appear in their path. They're making it, even though it is sometimes two steps forward, one step back.

And you'll make it too, though your road will probably have some rough spots along the way. So, read this book, discuss the stories with your peers, and try to learn everything you can from your independent living classes and from watching people who are leading their lives in a way that you admire. Learn from your mistakes and don't forget one writer's stern but compassionate advice: "You must develop your own drive to survive because one day soon the system will bid your behind a cold farewell."