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(Paramus, NJ) July 24, 2008 - Children's Aid and Family Services has announced the launch of a Back to School fund raising drive on behalf of its Thomas R.S. Burgin Parents Fund aimed at supporting college-bound teens who have "aged out" of foster care. The Redlich Horwitz Foundation, a New York and New Jersey based non-profit organization, has proposed a matching challenge grant for the first $20,000 raised toward the Fund.
After a foster child turns 18 years of age or graduates from high school, there are very few support services available to them as they begin to live on their own for the first time.
"The transition to college is a difficult rite of passage for any youth, but especially for those leaving foster care and lacking a traditional family support system," said Bob Jones, Ph.D., President and CEO of Paramus-based Children's Aid and Family Services.
"The challenges faced by these young people are huge. Even if they are doing fairly well, it can take very little for their lives to unravel."
Kaleena "Jasmine" Dicks is a former foster child who will be applying for assistance from the Burgin Fund to help her as she begins her freshman year at Montclair State University this fall. "I have been so inspired by all of my case workers at Children's Aid and Family Services," she said. The agency continues to provide support to students like Jasmine even after they officially "age out" of the system.
Recent statistics show that only 50% of aged out foster children will graduate from high school or obtain a GED, and only 15% will earn a 2 or 4 year college degree. 50% of the chronically homeless grew up in foster care, 50% of aged-out males will become involved with the criminal justice system and 60% of young women will have a baby within 4 years.
Children's Aid and Family Services has a reliable track record in preparing its teens for the future. With the extra support we've been able to provide through the Thomas R. S. Burgin Parents Fund, we can continue to assist more teens and keep them from becoming part of these statistics. Not only do 100 percent of high school aged teens in the agency's care graduate, but the agency continues to provide services like counseling and mentoring for the aged-out teens after they leave care.
The Thomas R. S. Burgin Parents Fund also allows Children's Aid and Family Services to provide financial awards to former foster care teens; the awards are tailored to meet the individual needs of the applicants on a case-by-case basis. Examples include assistance with car repairs, a loan to cover the deposit for an apartment rental, or to purchase a new suit for a job interview. "We are especially seeking funding for stipends to help our aged out teen going to college, and for laptop computers so that they can pursue their studies more easily," continued Jones.
Teens graduating from foster care within the State of New Jersey are eligible for free tuition, room and board, and assistance with books and transportation costs if they study within the state. But there are many more expenses related to pursuing a college education. These young people often have no other means of financial assistance to fund clothing, toiletries or other living expenses, including rent during vacation time.
"Our agency aims to provide these teens not only with a strong grounding in the skills they need to live independently once they leave care programs, but also with the ability to focus on their college studies without the additional pressure of having no income to support themselves. Nothing will give these teens a stronger foundation for the future than a good education," said Jones.
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Children's Aid and Family Services is one of the largest regional, nonprofit human services organizations serving northern New Jersey. The agency is fully accredited and has served the community for more than 100 years. Its mission is to preserve, protect and, when needed, provide families. Motivated by compassion for vulnerable children, young adults, frail elderly and their families, it provides high-quality and innovative services that meet their social, educational and emotional needs. For further information, visit www.cafsnj.org.
Donations to the Thomas R. S. Burgin Parents Fund are welcome via mail, phone or online. To contribute:
By mail: Development Department, Children's Aid and Family Services, 200 Robin Road, Paramus, NJ 07652 (indicate that you would like the gift to be designated to the Thomas R. S. Burgin Parents Fund.)
By phone using a credit card: Call Madinah Grier or Jennie Leto at: 201.261.2800.
Online at: www.cafsnj.org (click on "Donate Now" button.)
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