“Through the Tunnel” Foster Youth Initiation

Since I was born I have been in the system and it has been difficult at times. When I was born I was born I was taken away from my parents due to abuse and neglect, but I had went straight into a foster home. For some students they go into a group home which is like what we are in but more strict. I was in the system for 15 years, but some students may have been in longer than me or shorter than me. After that government makes sure that we go to school to get our high school diploma and not drop out and them waste money. For some students they think that there path is to graduate and others say that they are better out in the streets with friends. That is because they think that they are to cool for school or just don't have the same support. When a student turn 15 or 16 they have the chance to sign up for ILS which is Independent Living Skills. That helps the foster youth to learn independence and the way of life. The county wants us to do good but they somewhat give us a hard time because they want us to do the right choices. After that when a child turns 18 they have the choice to emancipate or stay in the system until they are 22. If they choose to emancipate themselves they can get into welfare which is money to help them in life. If a foster youth chooses to stay until 22 hey can have the chance to go to college or get there high school diploma. After that your on your own and you live you life the way you chose to live it. It is all up to you, whether you want to live it poor or be in school and beginning your own path to success.