The foster care system in America is a place that is meant to find orphans across the country a new forever home. However, that is not the result for every child that enters the system.
According to the Christian Alliance for Orphans, in 2024 9% of youth exited foster care through emancipation, otherwise known as aging out of the system. This can lead to said child turned adult going down the wrong path, and making some bad decisions.
In a recent episode of "The Stand Radio" on AFR, host Jeff Chamblee said that 71% of young women who exit the foster care system experience pregnancy, while 81% of young men will go to jail by age 19 for "survival crimes."
Programs like Don't Go Alone (DGA) aim to reach these new adults as they take on the challenges that come with the new phase of life..
The DGA Model adheres to the following steps: choice-based matching, redemptive connection support and wrap-around engagement. Those that are 18 to 24 can choose a Mentoring Family that will be a presence in their life following their exit from foster care.
Ariel Kraft is the Don’t Go Alone program director at South Texas Alliance for Orphans. She spoke on why those exiting the system often fall into bad decisions.
“They haven't had the opportunity to experience what healthy, stable life should look like,” Kraft says.
These kids feel "invisible" to society, she states.
“It felt like they were so invisible to everybody, but they're not invisible to God. And he could see every single one of them,” Kraft says.
The mission of DGA is to help young adults thrive from a lifelong connection to a family who cares. According to them, results of the program include fewer young men being arrested and fewer young women having unplanned pregnancies. The youth are also more likely to pursue education and stable employment and have greater long-term stability over all.
For more information on how to get involved with the organization, you can visit dontgoalone.life.
