Recently, the WFMY Good Morning Show presented an interview of an 18-year-old who was arrested for breaking into a High Point school. He later confessed to the police that he was homeless, had aged out of the custody of the Department of Social Services and was sleeping in the school.
Unfortunately, he is just one of 20,000 young adults who age out of the foster-care system each year, 25 percent of whom end up homeless. DSS will extend foster-care services to children past their 18th birthday, but this does not work for all teens.
Some of these teens experience multiple moves, unstable school history and mental health problems that make their transition to adulthood more difficult.
Being in DSS custody should not be a precursor to having a difficult adult life; everyone needs equal opportunities. A common thread for those who succeed is the presence of a supportive adult. While the state is working to establish a long-term solution to this problem, more citizens can take it upon themselves to, whenever possible, mentor and support teens as they transition out of care and educate others about the increasing needs of youth in foster care.
Lena Pinnix
Browns Summit
Comments (3)
"He later confessed to the police that he was homeless, had aged out of the custody of the Department of Social Services and was sleeping in the school."
Instead of breaking into a high school, why not go to a shelter? Why didn't he qualify for welfare/section 8,etc.
Why not go to the post office? They're opened 24 hours, or to walmart?
I empathize with this guy's situation but can't understand how it excuses breaking into a high school.
Good letter, BTW.
Posted by nitpicker![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://blog.news-record.com/staff/letters/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 8, 2007 10:29 AM
nit, wonder if you or I would have done what this young man did were we in his situation?
I agree in principle with your comments. Yet, I feel that somehow our society throws away foster children. They are like so many who receive DSS assistance, our society views them as a burden. Remember, the child does not have control over their every move, etc. They are children, not adults.
Shalom
Posted by Darryl![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://blog.news-record.com/staff/letters/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 8, 2007 3:12 PM
Darryl,
I was actually homeless for a while around that age and didn't break into any high schools. Course, I was pretty street-smart by the time I was 18.
I'd think a foster kid would be too, but maybe not.
I'm not judging the guy. I have a hard time understanding why you would need to break into a high school to find a warm dry place to stay, but whatever.
All water under the bridge at this point. Hopefully the kid has found a place to stay.
Posted by nitpicker![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://blog.news-record.com/staff/letters/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 8, 2007 5:12 PM