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!

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!!

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.
~ Support at School: Helped edit and gave ideas
~ Jessica: 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!