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If you haven’t had the best start as a child, how do you know where to begin as an adult?
Can you imagine beginning life on your own at the age of 16 without the support of a family? Without a job? Without a bank account? Without a birth certificate?
For many young people in foster care, this is the scenario they face when leaving the care system. There are more than 34,000 kids in foster care. At the age of 18 - or 16 in some states - these young people are forced to leave the care system, under prepared for the real world.
Research shows that:
Luckily, groups like the CREATE Foundation are here to help young people as they leave the care system and become independent.
CREATE is the leading organisation representing the voices of children and young people in foster care. Their mission is to create a better life for young people in, and leaving, the care system.
The Origin Foundation is partnering with CREATE to help roll out a new program, called Create Your Future. The program teaches young people in foster care about health and well being, life skills, job readiness, education and training options, and finance.
Jacqui Reed, CREATE Foundation CEO said that the program would help young people put their best foot forward as they entered the world.
“Every young person deserves to feel supported, confident and prepared when they leave home. CREATE Your Future will give young people in foster care the practical skills they need to survive as an adult in our society.”
Our Foundation is providing funding and access to skilled volunteers to help CREATE roll-out this program across New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.
It has the potential to change life outcomes for young people, setting them on the path to a brighter tomorrow that they can create for themselves.