Turning 18 Should Be Exciting—But for Foster Youth, It Often Means Facing the World Alone
For most teenagers, turning 18 is a milestone to celebrate. It marks the transition from childhood to adulthood, filled with new opportunities—college, trade school, entering the workforce, or moving out on their own.
But for many young people in foster care, 18 marks the end of stability. It often means aging out of the system and facing adulthood without the support most of their peers can count on.
Without a safety net, the transition can be overwhelming. Many face serious challenges: unstable housing, mental health issues, limited education, lack of transportation, and financial insecurity. Some deal with unplanned pregnancies or fall into cycles of unemployment and substance use. The risk of homelessness is high.
By contrast, teens who grow up with family support often continue receiving help into adulthood—whether it’s filling out job or college applications, learning to manage money, or just having a safe place to stay. They aren’t left to figure everything out alone, all at once.
Foster youth often are.
They age out with little preparation and even less stability. Many leave care with no money, no job, no diploma, no driver’s license and very little hope.
While Mississippi-specific data is limited, national statistics paint a troubling picture. Every year, roughly 20,000 young people in the U.S. age out of foster care. Void of the family safety net many of their peers rely on, these youth face steep odds:
- 25% become homeless immediately after aging out
- Within five years, 70% have contact with the criminal justice system
- Fewer than 3% earn a college degree
- 70% remain unemployed
These aren’t just personal tragedies, they’re public costs. The per-person lifetime cost of non-fatal child maltreatment is estimated at $830,928, a burden that includes healthcare, education, criminal justice, and lost productivity. Nationally, the aggregate economic impact exceeds $2 trillion.
The Cost of Doing Nothing Is High. The ROI of Support Is Higher.
Research shows that investing in youth aging out of care is not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.
For every $1,000 spent on public benefit programs for low-income individuals, there’s an estimated $153 billion in long-term cost savings due to reduced rates of abuse, neglect, and public dependency. Stable housing, mentorship, and life skills training don’t just improve lives, they reduce future public spending.
At Sunnybrook, We’re Working to Change the Future
We believe these outcomes aren’t inevitable. At Sunnybrook, we believe in a better future and we’re building it, one young person at a time.
Sunnybrook has supported vulnerable youth in Mississippi for over 60 years. Today, the ministry focuses on transitional-age youth (ages 14–21), preparing them to live independently and sustainably through two key programs:
- Transitional Living Program (TLP): For youth ages 14–18 still in school or working toward a high school equivalency. Residents live with a houseparent who serves as a mentor and caregiver. They receive life skills training, financial literacy, driver’s education, and part-time job opportunities.
- Supervised Independent Living Program (SIL): For youth ages 18–21 who have completed high school or an equivalent. Residents live more independently with support from a resident assistant. They must work, attend college or trade school full-time, or both. The program focuses on financial independence, career readiness, and personal goal setting like saving money or maintaining a vehicle.
The Results are Real, Outcomes that Speak for Themselves
In 2024, Sunnybrook residents completed over 550 hours of life skills programming. While only 27% of foster youth statewide are employed, 75% of our residents have jobs. Every resident receives financial literacy training compared to just 18% in state care.
Sixty-five percent have earned a driver’s license or permit, with over 150 driving hours recorded by students. Sixty percent have bought their own cars and obtained insurance coverage, something few foster youth nationwide achieve.
Each Sunnybrook resident also completes a personalized transition plan before leaving our program. This comprehensive roadmap helps them prepare for independence and provides guidance as they navigate adulthood.
Support That Pays Off, For Everyone
Investing in these youth isn’t charity, it’s a long-term strategy for community stability and economic health.
When we support young people aging out of care, we reduce homelessness, incarceration, and unemployment. We increase educational attainment, economic participation, and tax contribution.
This National Foster Care Awareness Month, we ask you to consider the reality facing youth aging out of the system and the difference a committed community can make. You have the power to be part of that change.
Give Foster Youth the Future They Deserve
At Sunnybrook, we’re not just filling gaps in the system. We’re building futures.
Every dollar donated and every hour volunteered at Sunnybrook helps create real, lasting change in the lives of foster youth. Join us in building brighter futures, together!
One great way to get involved: sign up for the inaugural Fostering Hope 5K Run/Walk this June. All proceeds directly support Sunnybrook’s mission.