One more challenge you’re likely to face when aging out of foster care is employment. Keeping a job and earning an income for yourself is critical to sustaining life. Unemployment is a significant risk factor for fosters. In fact, half of all aged out fosters are unemployed, which can lead to bankruptcy, homelessness, drug addiction, and other criminal behaviors. A lot of fosters aren’t giving the opportunity to work during foster care or know how to apply for a position and pass an interview. Losing a job to another applicant is discouraging, and can make you want to give up even searching. Once employed, income comes with responsibility. You need to pay your bills before you treat yourself.
