Fostered teens need transition help

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Hannah Gettman from Fight Like a Girl demonstrates how to defend yourself during a Community Works program for teens.

May 05, 2008

By Sanne Specht

Mail Tribune

Being in foster care can be difficult for any child. But teens who are aging out of the system face the unique challenge of moving out into the world without the same family support most people take for granted. And they can use the help of their fellow community members, social service specialists say.

"For all youths, the transition is a big struggle. They go from a fairly protected environment, and then take that leap out into the world," said Cara Walsh, Independent Living Program coordinator at Community Works.

Once a foster teen turns 14, it is expected the Department of Human Services refers them to ILP. Teens typically "age out" at 18 — or when they have a high school diploma. After the age of 18, they can open a voluntary case through Department of Human Services and continue receiving ILP services, Walsh said.

The ILP has recently been awarded a state contract to help provide more services to older transitioning teens. But they need help from the community to provide $16,000 in donated items in order to fulfill their contract, Walsh said.

"Things like bicycles, computers, furniture, cars and money are needed to help these teens accomplish their goals," Walsh said.

Four 18-year-old teens recently spoke about their hopes and fears just prior to participating in a self-protection workshop held at Community Works. Their names have been changed to protect their identities.

Hannah has been in about a dozen foster homes since she was permanently removed from her home at age 10.

"My dad was murdered when I was three. My mom was doing drugs," said Hannah.

Hannah's focus is on finishing high school. But she, like the others, are weighing life's options, which Hannah hopes will include college. The green-eyed blonde is thinking of majoring in theatre or psychology, she said.

Most kids who leave home for the first time to attend college and/or work have the safety net of family to fall back on if things don't go according to their plans. Without the emotional guidance and financial support of social support networks or a family, many teens "crash and burn," Walsh said.

"The reality is that they tend to be supported while they are in foster care. The challenge is once they turn 18, they've left care, they really have no one. When they lose their job or they get a flat tire or their car breaks down, who do they call? Or when it's Christmas day, where do they go?" said Walsh.

Mark has been in foster care since he was 10 years old.

"My parents got arrested and nobody else would take care of me," he said.

How many homes has Mark been in during the past eight years?

"Too many to count," said the budding interior designer.

The ILP helps provide funding for college and housing for many of these teens. Its staff members also help teach the daily living skills that many others take for granted. Teens attend weekly life skills classes every Tuesday. Topics include acquiring housing, money management, building healthy relationships — and even self defense, Walsh said.

Lucy is the first to hop out on the matts when this Tuesday's instructor asks for a volunteer to demonstrate how to break the hold of an attacker.

"Like this?" she asks, using both hands to break the grip of the male teacher before falling on her back and kicking her legs.

Lucy has been in three different foster homes. She expects to leave her last home in a week or so. She will transition into a group home for a bit, then finish her GED by the end of the summer, Lucy said.

Lucy, like many teens, is anxious to spread her wings. She laments her current lack of freedom, but adds she's also concerned about her finances and her future.

"I'm just worried. I want to have enough money to keep myself going," Lucy said.

The hazel-eyed teen wants to be a middle school guidance counselor — and perform in her deceased father's theatre troupe in San Francisco.

"It's always been a dream of mine," she said.

For now, she volunteers at the Humane Society and would like to get a laptop for school.

"A bike would be nice for transportation," Lucy added.

Mary has been in a group foster home for the past three years.

"There was trouble at my home," she said.

A junior in high school, the eager teen plants to attend Rogue Community College when she graduates. Mary says she gets a lot of support from staff at the group home, but she doesn't have many of the material things that most teens take for granted.

"I don't have a bike. I don't have a computer. I don't have a car," said Mary, adding she hopes to get a bike for her upcoming birthday.

Every six months, Walsh and the teens set goals: housing, health, eduction and positive relationships, any skill that they're going to need to learn how to live on their own, Walsh said.

"There's a huge emphasis in helping them reach their educational goals," Walsh said.

Walsh helps the teens apply for college, fill out scholarships or grant requests.

"There's a lot of mentoring and skills training. I take them to get their drivers licenses, teach them to write a resume, even how to ride a bus," Walsh said, adding she also connects the teens to volunteer opportunities and job searches.

Without these supplemental ILP programs, a lot of the teens wind up becoming teen parents, Walsh said.

"Education hasn't been emphasized in their families. They end up working for minimum wage, flipping burgers, and not being able to break the cycle of poverty," Walsh said.

If you are interested in helping out with donations for one of the many foster teens in our community, or for more information about the Independent Living Program, please contact one of Community Works ILP providers: in Jackson County contact Cara Walsh at 779-2393 ext. 245 (see correction note below), or in Josephine County, contact Matt Nelson at 474-3120 ext. 368.

Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail her at sspecht@mailtribune.com

Correction: The original version of this story included an incorrect phone number. This version has been corrected.

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