Future of those in the Foster Care System

Mission Statement:
To further the opportunities for foster kids as they approach 18 (or the
time that they leave the foster care system). Making the transition go a
little smoother to help create a greater success rate of foster kids that age
out of the sytem is what matters most! We are also now a non-profit
organization known as Brighter Tomorrows that assists youth with a
housing program and other oppurtunities to help youth be successful at
reaching all their goals.

Why:
"Nationwide, an estimated 30,000 adolescents age out of the foster care
system each year."* The statistics of the kids that age out of the foster
care system are as follows; "one in four will be incarcerated within two
years of leaving foster care, one in five will become homeless, only half will
graduate from high school, and less than three percent receive college
degrees."** Many others experience early parenthood, which sometimes
leads to more children in the foster care system to repeat the cycle. The
challenge to overcome these statistics and the obstacles that come with
them is extremely challenging, but some are able to do it. This website's
goal is to make the number of kids able to overcome the challenge of aging
out successfully, a much larger number.

Where it all started:
I, the creator had this idea and was able to do it, as well as use it in the
Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student Award. I have seen several of my
friends grow up and age out. They leave their foster homes and most of
them got lost out in the world. My parents and I see that there is a huge
problem with that fact and I wanted to do something about it. This
website isn't the key to your success, but it can be a part of it. The real
key to a successful transition is in the self-confidence and will power that
you yourself have to succeed!! And now my mother and I, along with a
great board and helpful family and friends, have started a housing
program with mentors and life skills training sessions to help support
youth that have a desire to continue their education and the drive to
reach their goals.

Who all has contributed:
I would like to thank so many people for helping me in this process,
without all of them this website just wouldn't have been!
~ Pam and Bryan: Great supporters, editors, and helpers!
~ Travis at Elevate: He overcame the challenges and now helps others to
do as he has done. He helped in many ways to give me an inside look on
why this was so important.
~ Kirsten: Woderful helper and supporter! She helped me get this idea to
be more than just an idea.
~ Jessica and Katie: Helped me with several aspects of my website and
presentation
~ The wonderful people at the Iowa DHS Offices (Kathy, Doug, and many
others): They were a great source of information and helped anwser all
my questions. If they didn't know they found someone else who did.
~ Adam at SpinuTech: He donated the web hosting and helped me get all
of my work on-line!