Over 250,000 children are placed into the U.S. foster care system each year and more than 20,000 will “age out” — that is, become too old to stay under State care. Depending on the state, aging out occurs at the age of 18 or as soon as they graduate from high school. While some states, including Florida, may allow for extended foster care (up to age 21 or 22 with a documented disability) if certain requirements are continuously met every month, many of the youths aging out of foster care struggle with transitioning to adulthood.
- 20% of children who age out at 18 will instantly become homeless.
- 25% of the children who age out will not graduate from high school (or be able to pass GED testing).
- Only half of those who age out of the foster care system will have gainful employment by the age of 24.
- 6% of aged-out foster kids will seek higher education (e.g., college or technical school) but only 3% will graduate with a degree—even though about 70% of those who have aged out report they would like to pursue a college degree one day.
- 70% of females who age out of foster care become pregnant by the age of 21.
- 60% of the males who age out and are legally emancipated have been convicted of a crime.
- 25% of aged out foster kids suffer from PTSD.
- Over 40% of children who turn 18 while in the foster care system have been in the system for over 3 years.
- Over 100,000 of the children in foster care are eligible for adoption.
Forgotten Angels is a nonprofit—which operates more as a family—to benefit children aging out of the foster care system, young adults who have aged out, at-risk teens, and recently released incarcerated youths.
We take these children into our home and teach them the life skills they were never given. We provide them with the opportunity to complete their high school education, plan for continuing education or skills training, own and custom renovate a tiny home, get a job, open a bank account, build credit, purchase a vehicle, and have the care, love, and guidance they never had from their legal foster caregivers while helping them plan for a more successful future.
Our property is nestled in Valrico, Florida, expanding across over a dozen acres that includes two ponds ideal for fishing, kayaking, or just taking in the view at sunset.
The expanse of the property enables us plenty of space for our youths to place their own tiny home, learn to care for animals and themselves, and be in an environment that encourages relaxation, recovery, and forming healthy relationships.
