Former foster youth who age out of the system are at risk for a whole host of negative outcomes including homelessness. Unfortunately, foster youth need much more than money to survive in this world. We need your support & here’s how you can help! A Thread: https://twitter.com/DareBear1226/status/1345366031162888193

I’m realizing that I already made a thread about this 2 months ago lol. On this thread I will add more suggestions and answer questions you might have about the foster care system from my perspective a Public Health & former foster youth perspective Comment them below! https://twitter.com/dailycupofjooo/status/1316417631138717697

I want to emphasize this: more than just $, Foster youth need love & attention. Foster youth need to know that they are special in this world. I can give you suggestions but ask yourself “what love can I give to foster youth in 2021?” What did my 18-21 year old self need?

Here is a very short list of what non-family members have done for me and my adulthood:

Taught me how to drive, gave me a car, referred me to a job after two years of under employment, friends who let me stay with them a month rent free. Ppl encouraging me to do art

Staff from my college who let let me stay with let me stay with them 3 months reduced rent, someone loaning me money for a new computer, ppl flying w/ me bc I have bad anxiety etc.

Looking at the list above I hope you can see that people were able to give me what they could spare at the time! Yes some people were able to spare money ie by giving me reduced rent. But for my friends who taught me how to drive, that was them investing their time!

What is something extra that you can spare? Is it that car seat you don’t need anymore that you can give to a 19-year-old who is expecting. Are you a photographer and you want to volunteer a photo shoot so youth can have pictures on their LinkedIn?

Do you have old clothes or an old cell phone you can donate specifically to foster youth? Can you teach a make up class virtually for the youth in foster care? Are you good at editing resumes? Do you have an old TV you don’t use? Can you make art to brighten a youth’s day?

Can you see the vision? I’m really speaking to you from my heart and soul because that’s how much I love my community. You can help make a current or former foster youth feel loved & needed & affirmed. I just know that you can! You can find local orgs with Google! https://twitter.com/dailycupofjooo/status/1316418782559002625

So in sum: ask yourself what extra resource you can give to foster youth. It can be big or small. Then use Google to find foster care nonprofits in your area. Email them with what you have to offer & go from there!

As for me I am a former foster youth black woman living with Bipolar. I like to do art. You can follow me here & on IG: dailycupofjooo. Right now I am actually selling art through an online shop for foster youth artists check us out! https://store.dreammakersproject.org/jo-art-shop/ 

Here is the information in the images written out! Thank you so much @science_enby ! https://twitter.com/science_enby/status/1345515716078936065