During fiscal year 2007, 502 young people, between the ages of 18 and 21, exited Maryland's foster care system. Of those 502 youth, only 39 were identified as being reunified with family, adopted, or under the guardianship of a relative while 463 of our community's most vulnerable youth either aged-out, or were listed as "runaways" or "missing." Youth aging out face the overwhelming statistics of high homelessness, incarceration and early pregnancy rates.
MFYRC is a non-profit organization created and run by former foster youth. The Resource Center is a central place where youth in and from care can go to find information on housing, financial assistance, education, health care, or to get advice and support from others who have experienced foster care. Our goal is to help them avoid the negative statistics facing transitioning foster youth and become confident and successful members of society.
Currently, we are working with local group homes and Independent Living programs to assist in their foster parent and social worker trainings by incorporating the perspective of youth in and from foster care. We have also partnered with Foster Care Alumni of America to host Public Speaking Training and Budgeting Workshops for youth in and from foster care. Having experienced the foster care system ourselves we offer a different perspective and can perhaps reach out to the youth in a way that will motivate and inspire them.
Some of our supporters include:
CASA Maryland, Montgomery County and Baltimore County
Public Justice Center
Annie E. Casey Foundation
MARFY
Maryland Department of Human Resources
National Center for Housing and Child Welfare (NCHCW)
Foster Care Alumni of America, Maryland
Youth MOVE
LivvyLove Foundation
To request information or place a presentation request, visit our website at www.mfyrc.org.
