Some of the foster youths experienced frustration in handling basic skills, such as opening a checking/savings account, parenting and the frustration of single parenthood whether they were a single parent or single. These "aged out' foster youths need a strong support system that would empower and encourage them to take control of their lives. They struggled in their transition of leaving their foster homes because many were still attending high school and were not emotionally or financially stable.
Without a strong support system, these young people will be at high risk of homelessness, lacking self esteem, pregnant, incarcerated, unemployed, welfare dependency, and sexual and physical victimization and without guidance. According to studies of young people aging out of the foster care system discharged to themselves in different states: 12-30 percent struggled with homelessness; 40-63 percent did not complete high school; 25-55 percent were unemployed; and only 38 percent of those employed were still working after one year; 30-62 percent had trouble accessing health care due to inadequate finances or lack of insurance; 32-40 percent were forced to rely on some form of public assistance and 50 percent experienced extreme financial hardship; 31-42 percent were arrested; 18-26 percent were incarcerated; and 40-60 percent of the young women were pregnant within 12-18 months of leaving foster care.
K.I.S.H. Home Transitional Living Program will provide support services to help find permanent housing, to provide physical, emotional, educational, and social supports for women presently in, or have aged out of the foster care to achieve and sustain self sufficiency.
Additionally, K.I.S.H. Home, Inc. Transitional Living Services will provide guidance in the following areas:
- Independent Living Skills
- Mentoring
- Case Management
- GED Preparation
- College Entrance Assistance
- Preparation for Adult Living Programs
- Housing
- Career Development
- Mental Health Counseling
- Employment & Educational Programs
- Health & Wellness Program
- Personal Development Plans
