The Power of Community Support for Foster Youth

Foster youth want what all children need and desire—the opportunity to live up to their greatest potential in life.

By age 26, approximately 80 percent will have failed to earn a high school degree or GED. Only half will be employed, and one in five will be homeless. Last year, 94 percent of the older youth in SAFY care were able to successfully demonstrate life skills that allow them to live independently.

Each year, more than 400,000 children are removed from their homes with the promise of being reunified with their family or finding permanency through adoption or kinship care. For more than 23,000 of these youth, this promise is broken.

Youth who age out of foster care are less likely than their peers to graduate from high school or college. These statistics are unacceptable, which is why organizations like SAFY strive to be the difference for these youth.

Each year, SAFY cares for more than 15,000 families and children, supporting Matt and hundreds of youth like him. Our older youth services promote healthy development and prepare foster youth to build successful, independent lives. SAFY helps them learn an array of essential skill sets, including how to secure safe housing, employment and education.

Since 2012, SAFY has provided training and development to more than 180 youth aging out of foster care, assisting them in their transition to successful adulthood.

SAFY of Indiana’s Annual 5K Be a Superhero Run/Walk brings together individuals and members of the business community committed to supporting the needs of youth aging out of the foster care system, offering help to college-bound foster youth preparing to enter college.

This year, the event raised more than $6,300 for SAFY foster youth providing college dorm supplies for 19 youth. This could not be achieved without the individuals and businesses who supported this event!