After a traumatic youth, many young people in foster care are set adrift when they age out of state care in their late teens. Some disheartening statistics: Nearly 40 percent of Alaska foster care alumni interviewed in a 2005 study became homeless for a time as adults. By age 19, half were parents themselves. After graduating from state care, 30 percent were jailed for some period.
Rep. Les Gara of Anchorage has championed all sorts of assistance for these young people facing adulthood alone, along with state Sen. Bettye Davis. Bills to help more with things like rent, job training and college scholarships are still pending in the Legislature. But thanks to Gara and a group of nonprofit organizations, one valuable type of help will be available within a matter of weeks: Mentors to help steer young people nearing the end of their foster care into the future.
Alaska Community Services, the parent organization for the Foster Grandparent Program, is coordinating the effort, without even waiting for any special funding (though they are applying for grants).
"This situation is so serious, there's so much need, that we're going to re-direct what we have," said Mike Saville, ACS executive director. They'll start with youth still in state care between the ages of 16 12 and 19. They'll help them plan their futures.
There are about 260 foster kids in that age range statewide, though not all of them need mentors. While the Foster Grandparents volunteers are seniors, people of any age will be able to become mentors for foster kids, said Saville.
Other agencies such as the state, Covenant House, Nine Star and the Court Appointed Special Advocate group (CASA) are each playing a role, recruiting volunteers, training the recruits, and the like.
"This is huge," said Amanda Metivier, a former foster kid who is statewide coordinator of Facing Foster Care in Alaska, which represents youth in foster care. The link to an adult who will work on a plan for when the kids exit state care will make all the difference, she said.
BOTTOM LINE: Soon, mentors will be available to help foster care kids launch into adulthood. Want to get involved? Call Saville at 276-6472.