Get Foster Youth the Education They Need and Deserve

All children have the right to grow up in loving and healthy environments that provide the foundations for success. Yet, across the nation, youth in foster care struggle to achieve positive educational and therefore career outcomes.

Success is often hindered by the unique challenges of growing up in the child welfare system — a lack of consistent parental support and connection with a caring adult, unstable home and academic environments, frequent changes in residency and lack of early educational advocacy.

Studies have shown that 1 in 5 former foster youth enter homeless shelters within 3 years of exiting foster care. 1 in 4 will be incarcerated within 2 years of leaving foster care and less than 3% will ever receive college degrees.

The New York Foundling, based on 145 years of experience working with underserved children, is committed to providing comprehensive services and educational supports to help foster youth get on a path toward higher education, but we can't do it alone. Take action today: Add your name to stand with us as we work to give youth in foster care the educational opportunities they need and deserve!