Aging UP began like anything else, yet it wasn’t just a good idea or a heartfelt thought. We started with research as well as the passion, professional skills, and personal experiences of friends who saw unmet needs for youth with experience in foster care.
Sacramento has shown concern for youth in foster care—and it’s no wonder as there are more than 2,700 local children in the child welfare system, with approximately 10% aging out annually.
Youth with experience in foster care are one of the most at-risk demographics. They disproportionately face homelessness, physical and mental health problems, criminal involvement, low education attainment, and many other disadvantages.
Our founders knew these unfortunate statistics. After extensive conversations and reviewing local services, it became clear that issues are being addressed but certain supports were still lacking. Specifically, our community has a lot of services for children currently in care as well as for young adults transitioning out of foster care.
Gaps, however, existed for high school aged youth as well as those who had been in foster care but gained permanency (reunification with biological parents or through kinship care or adoption). Within these gaps, connectedness and living skills were the two major needs identified as how to best empower youth toward successful adulthood.
Data overwhelmingly proves that youth need at least one caring, stable adult relationship to help navigate adolescence, understand their value, enjoy personal interactions, and many other benefits. Unfortunately, removal from birth parents, placement changes, and other challenges of foster care can lead to shattered relationships.
The trauma of entering, and often staying, in foster care can also wreak havoc on developing life skills. While the average young person becomes independent between the ages of 26-33, youth in foster care must become self-sufficient at ages 18-21.
“We should do something about it,” was a statement turned into action. Aging UP’s strategic plan was then developed to accomplish the following goals: build strength-based, trauma-informed relationships through mentoring, provide age-appropriate recreation, and establish self-sufficiency through education.
Now, as one of Sacramento’s vital nonprofits, we are honored to begin implementing our vision of empowering youth with any experience in foster care to become happy, healthy, self-sufficient adults.
As a nonprofit, we are reliant on the generosity of individuals, foundations, and corporations for funding. We are extremely grateful for the financial support and encouragement already received. Growing support, however, will sustain these life-changing services.
