It Starts With a Job

For former foster youth, getting a job is a big deal.

For Emily, it is the first step in a long journey towards sustainability as she navigates school, childcare, obtain’s a driver’s license and much more.

Finding and keeping a job is a common challenge for former foster youth. In fact, only 50% of young adults who have aged out of the foster care system are employed, according to a study by the National Youth in Transition Database.

There are many reasons why employment rates are so low among former foster youth. One reason is that they often lack a strong support system to help them with the transition to adulthood.
Former foster youth also face many challenges that other young adults do not, such as trauma, mental health issues, and instability. These factors can make it difficult for them to maintain consistent employment.

AT TLF, we want to celebrate these first entry-level employment jobs.

After we linked Emily with 211, she was able to finish the curriculum from them in order to receive their requirements for employment. She is in her first week of training and thoroughly enjoying it. This is a work-from-home opportunity.

Emily shared, “I really like the job, it is challenging but interesting because I am able to learn about recourses that can help me in the long run as well”
It is hard to only have about 20 minutes on the phone with someone and have to assist them and then not really know if they were able to get the help they needed, but I think it will help me with obtaining a career in some sort of dispatching. I am not looking into emergency dispatching because this will be great on my resume”

She is hoping this could take her into a career as a 911 operator or working for the county dispersing resources help for people in similar situations as her.

We are excited to see what the future holds for Emily and how she will use her newfound skills and knowledge to help herself and others!