Unprotected: Aging Out Of Foster Care
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- Опубликовано: 12 окт 2022
- Christina Abraham’s 21st birthday loomed with dread. The milestone meant she was aging out of the foster care system and needed to find her own place to live. Christina met with NBC News’ Antonia Hylton in the months surrounding that deadline, sharing her experience in a group home and the obstacles to securing housing in New York City.
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I aged out of foster care. My parents simply didn't want me as an adolescent. I had no support system after and had dealt with homelessness on and off since. Kids need support and someone that cares!
I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. Hopefully things have gotten better for you now.
How can your parents simply not want you, were you misbehaving and they couldn't control you? Children have a right to support but children have a right to do the right thing, be trainable and obedient.
@@beyourself2444What a sick and disgusting comment
@@beyourself2444 Children do not have the conscious ability as an adult. If you can't handle an "out of control" kid, then you don't deserve kids.
We as a country have failed all foster children. Wow, you are dealing with issues that many adults are unable to navigate . Can't wait to see what you become a lawyer, à Doctor, even à advocate for future foster care kids, group homes, or any kid in need.
You are the pioneering light! 😊😊😊😊😊
This young woman is going to "make it", no matter what. Her strength runs deep...
You'd be surprised. Sometimes things outside our control can do it
That doesn't always happen. You can be strong and still suffer
During college, I worked at a transitional group home for older kids getting ready to age out. We guided them on things like applying for a license, for college, for a job, writing a resume, how to cook, how to budget, how to pay bills, etc. Just so thankful that we had the staff and resources to really see things through. The best part was running into some of them after they left the home and getting a hug and a thank you and hearing about all the good things going on in their lives. Some would have others believe that resources are scarce but it's truly not. If we could just prioritize the well-being of people first, above all else, no one would have to go without the basics...food, clothing, and shelter...and maybe even one person that cares.
You’re so amazing! Thank you for helping people like me!
@@chrissya8296 Your story really touched me. Thank you for being so open to sharing. I'm wishing all the best for you- that you accomplish all your goals and continue to build your own chosen family made up of friends and people who love you because you are so wonderful.
Chrissy…you are beautiful and strong. I pray you’re doing well. Has anyone come forward to support you through this experience?
We're helping kids to get jobs and buy a house in cash with a spouse by 22. Especially excited whenever we get to help kids in foster care
@@chrissya8296 a bedroom bathroom suite in DC area on bus stops is under 150k renovated. Working 2 full-time minimum wage jobs will allow you to payoff this mortgage in under 3 years. Then dump the rest of your income into dividend paying stocks like Verizon. Pretty soon, your dividend income will exceed the cost of your groceries and property taxes and utilities yearly.
If you want help getting a couple jobs in DC area, please let me know
So, kids raised in foster care face the same situation going out into the world as someone who has been incarcerated. How messed up is that? God bless the people at Hearts to Homes for helping young people get the helpful launch into the world that every kid deserves.
Well that's an odd comparison.. I can see where you're coming from. Kid's forcefully or deceitfully removed from their homes over medicated told they have a new mom and dad foster mom foster dad and when they fight their ideology are further medicated. Because the kids must have a mental problem If they want their bio aka real parents.. I can accept your point of view probably in like 80 percent of Foster care kidnappings.
I understand her. I was in foster care from 6 - 18, 5 different homes/schools.
One thing I know, having the right parents and listening to them changed the direction of my life.
That is so amazing. It’s always great seeing fellow foster kids have positive experiences ❤
I can completly have these same feelings. Maybe we should connect single women, mid-60s, struggling to get by and all alone with a young vibrant “aging out” young person ! It brings Oxygen and Sunshine into our lonely lives! It will keep us feeling young and connected and caring for a young person who needs all the tlc we still have to give
I love that idea!!!
That would be nice to meet occasionally and take the kid out for a meal or cover groceries. Sharing a living space? Twenties and sixties are two very different phases of life.
I doubt old people would want to live with somebody
@@uggycyvhvyvyv7322 People in the US lack compassion for their elders. They’re lonely. Family doesn’t visit. It’s sad.
This is USA 🇺🇸 the land of no community
As a foster parent this is so disheartening. We tried so hard with all of the kids.
maybe you did, but it seems many dont,and honestly, depending what your best is,it might be one of the things that child hates most and makes them wish they were dead, so really your best can mean nothing,something, and everything, one for 3 different people yet all for the same reason.,maybe it's clothing, schooling, religion, politics, privacy etc etc, no matter how great you think it is,it's some bodies worst nightmare you provide,and most will never feel safe being honest about it,because one word from you destroys everything.
It's sad that there isn't an agency that works one-on-one with these young adults. I was a foster child in the 1970's. I had an absent Social Worker. Finally as an adult she came through my check out line at the store I worked at drunk, so Security called her husband. He explained she was indeed an alcoholic. The system is BROKEN all the way around.
Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. Right now I am volunteering with Dallas CASA. CASA volunteers visit the children in foster care and act as their advocate in the courtroom. I have defiantly seen a lot of Social Worker get burnt out or move on to other things. And I feel the CASA program helps make things a little less broken.
I would love any advise you have for me to make sure the child I am advocating for gets their voice heard. I know as an adult you can often look back at your childhood and see things you did not see as when you were younger. I would love to make sure all their needs are met both mental and physical.
I was in Foster care in the 1950's. The system was broken then and it remains Broken Today. As you said in the 1970's your Social Worker was absent, I'm not surprised, because they would make a brief appearance maybe once a year to speak with only 1 or both foster parents. They never made the time to speak with the foster child one-on-one even at an early age just to see if things were okay or if there were any problems at the foster home. So as you said it is sad, that there is NO Agency that works one-on-one with these Young Adults. You are 100% correct, the System is BROKEN.
DO BACKGROUND CHECKS ON THE FAMILIES WHERE THE KIDS GO, AND CHECK ON CHILD AND FAMILY ON A REGULAR BASIS
I have no siblings or children, 'unqualified' to adopt yet I fostered teen moms with babies for many years. Now, as a retired senior, I wish I could still adopt a young adult who wants and needs parental support. I've had girls like Christina - and worse. But, this definitely DOES NOT have to happen to kids who spend the majority of their lives as a ward of the court. The whole system makes me sad and angry at the same time.
The want to help is half the battle! I’m sure you’ll be able to support in a way that will leave you feeling fulfilled!❤
Why are you "unqualified to adopt"? Perhaps you can be foster parent or mentor to an older teen or a young parent.
I’m so happy that she finally has a home to go to, she is blessed.
I worked in a group home and was let go because I reported the mistreatment of the children.
That’s so unfortunate. Thank you for trying to do the right thing.
You did the right thing..God bless you Angel❤
Christina, if you happen to read this, please know that I am so proud of you babe! You did it. I can’t even fathom the amount of trauma, adversity, and pain you have endured throughout your life, but you’re here - you’re alive - with a wonderful head on your shoulders. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you. I know you’re going to accomplish amazing things, beautiful! ✨
She seems so collected. My guess is she "seems" that way, because that's the only way for her to get thru life. There has to be times of fear, whether or not things will be okay at some point, at any point. I wish I could hug her, and look her in the eye and let her know she does matter. There is something to be said for her strength. She is mature for her age. It's certain that's because she's had to be.
RAD
Beautiful spirit and smile ❤ I wish her all the best. Her story is so important and we need reform of the foster care system
It is not about reforming but foster care awareness. Getting more families to open their home to fostering children. Maybe the government could make it more appealing so as to encourage more families.
No. Its background checks on the bum families!
What a beautiful young lady! I hope she has a brighter future!
What a heart touching story. I wish they posted her amazon wish list or how we can help support her.
Chrissy, I am so happy to see you with your own place. That has to be a huge relief. Your story touched my heart. I was a foster mother for many years until I adopted a sibling group of three. I hope all the children I fostered know that I truly cared for each of them. I hope someday you start a family of your own. Maybe be a foster parent yourself. You have turned into an intelligent, beautiful woman and you deserve love and stability in your life. God bless you and keep you safe.
I also wanted to make you aware of charities that provide new beds for people who don't have one. I'm not in your area but Google should help you out in your area. Make sure to apply for HEAP, SNAP (food stamps) and free phone, discounted Wi-Fi and utilize food pantries. Hope this helps. ☺
I really feel like this beautiful intelligent young lady will be successful. She's strong, she doesn't give up, she has personality. She's gonna be fine, and I hope she'll be fine very soon!
Will people like you believing in me how could I fail! Thank you so much for your kind words in my darkest days I think about all the words of light ❤
@@chrissya8296 You are very welcome dear. Be careful out here and continue to be strong and reach your goals 💚💚💚
This foster kids should not be treated like criminals. Alarmed should only place at the door and only on after curfew hours.
Thank you !
Please keep updating us about her..are praying for her
Such an emotional story. I wish her all the best. Her tenacity and spirit makes me excited about her future now that her basic needs are starting to bed met.
Christina Abraham's story is powerful and needs to go viral. What an amazing, intelligent, and resilient young woman she is. So happy she stayed the course and is now on her way to fulfilling her God-given destiny! You go girl, you got this!
Keep doing stories like this!!! Please. This is what we want to see. Stories about real Americans living real lives. Thank you NBC!🎉
This Beautiful Young Woman will Do very, very well in her future. Her Essence/Spirit is so Positively Unique and Strong. I will keep her in my thoughts and pray she has a lifetime of Divine Protection. I absolutely love her positive attitude in spite of hardship. I see her as a role model as well and sent this story yo my 14 year old granddaughter to watch.
When I was told as a teen that once I was out out of the juvenile detention I would have to go to a group home to live, I ran away at 18. This was in the 1960's when the age of adulthood was 21. I left Minnesota and never looked back. It was difficult and many problems were still in my future. BUT I'm now 75, I've got adult children, adult grandchildren and I'm very happy to have 10 great-grandchildren. I was in foster care starting as an infant, adopted, then again in foster care, unadopted, and a runaway. But I am still alive!
My foster mother prepared me for age out. Got an apartment at 16 years old. State assisted me until I became 21.
That is so beautiful❤
good deal for you, free money must be awesome
@@princessequestrian10 That was a stupid comment
@@princessequestrian10yes, good for her. That's where state money should be going, to help young people get their lives going. They are the future
@@SarahTerror.0 and what about all the young people who got their lives going on their own, without free handouts? surely the deserve compensation as well, as they've proven they don't need to rely on someone else. why are deadbeats like this girl getting all the money when actual hardworking people get nothing? it just incentivizes uselessness.
For the girl who has been in the Foster care and living in the central, keep your head up.
I hope you are able to find a place to live.
Sending you prayers.
Thank you so much ❤ I got my apartment!
@@chrissya8296How are you? I’m so proud of you. You are beautiful.
Praying for this young lady and all others in this situation!!
Thank you ❤
Amen!
@@chrissya8296 Praying for you too Chrissy♥️ I asked God to send his Angels & a Hedge of protection around you! Put God first in all you do and he will see you through. 🙏🏻🌻
@@ragdollb9667 wow thanks so much
Christina is absolutely beautiful inside and out. She has something great to offer this world. She is a diamond. She is just getting started. Sidenote: shame on the US government for failing our youth in every way imaginable (education/foster care/healthcare). Meanwhile, billions in tax money sent to Ukraine.
I have ended up with no bio family. Sometimes it is better, actually. We can find our REAL family. Our soul family. Financially it's so scary nowadays, especially as a woman, but truly WE CAN do it, and you will be so proud of yourself. Much, much love and sympathy going out to you, beautiful person...
There are thousands of kids just like her.
I was abused in foster care and am still seeking healing. So sorry for anyone who had to be a foster child.
I know it’s scary but you can do this!! On my own since 16.
Get out of the city to more affordable housing areas.
Much Love ❤️ Enjoy the ride
This is one of the most heartbreaking thing every. As a foster parent my heart just breaks.
Unfortunately you can't save them all
@@johnnyfreedom3437 That a very heartbreaking and cold perspective. Theses young people don't need saving, they need a support system.
I wonder where all the "pro lifers" are? You know, the people who actively try to make sure kids are born into situations where they are not loved or wanted. Weird how they fight for embryos and fertilized eggs, but are never around when ACTUAL people need help.
Right I’m 24 and I’m about to start my foster parent classes , this video made me cry imagining how holidays are for them
Virtual housewarming warms my heart.
I can identify it was worse here in Florida, we had to be out at 18, not knowing where you was suppose to go or who could help. Lost soul.
That would be the same in my country. The thought terrifies me for young people.
I’m gonna foster tons of kids in Florida🫶🏽
I can feel her strength. God bless her and keep her.
Thank you so much ❤ you’re the best
She is going to do great things. I can feel it. God bless this baby girl
She has a SPIRIT OF GOOD
Proud of this young lady and her accomplishments and being able to keep a tenacious attitude towards life. Many blessings to her and her future.
I’m halfway through the video and I love this young lady. I know all about the foster care system from deep, long, personal experience. You will make it young lady. I wish you could come live with me 😢. She is strong and will be successful in life and happy, Amen.
This absolutely breaks my heart, but I'll be in prayer for her. She's such a beautiful young lady, and she's so strong. 💧🕊🌹
If you go to your local laundromat and look at the announcements on the bulletin board, amongst all the landscaping and massage therapy ads, there usually ROOM FOR RENT ads. There are always a couple of cheap rooms available. Good Luck.
God bless her, and all those who helped her, and all those who are going thru what she has and is!
Breaks my heart all that she said... no kid should grow up feeling that way💔 I wish I could foster someday,I have so much love to give l😭
This is so crazy. I’m glad that she finally got what she needed.
Such a beautiful piece. Thank you for doing right by her story.
Your an exceptional and very articulate young women. You have great energy and that great energy will follow you. Keep pushing for your beginning never has to be your end. I hope you make a family one day and pour into them all that was not poured into you. 🎉
I hope the reporter, stay in contact with her, not daily but at least twice a month. I know they are not suppose to be emotionally involved but just make sure she stay focused. Don't just let this be a story. I hate that there's not that much help, but I am glad the young lady is off on a good start
I love you Christina! I am so sorry you have been treated this way. In Canada the cut off age for foster children is 18!! Disgusting! I pray that you are able to overcome your problems🙏🏾
In Southern California we have some programs in community colleges which give scholarships to people who have aged out of foster care.
The state should do more to help these kids coming out their system. Good reporting, she is a wonderful young lady, all the best to her!!❤️🎉🎉🎉
They should and they will! Thank you so much !!
Stay safe, my lady. Your strength is our strength. Live long and prosper.
No one would know if I didn't tell them but I too have experienced foster homes. I recently celebrated my 49th birthday and more and more, I feel compelled to work with folks like Christina. She is me and I am her. My biological mother was a severe alcoholic and due to that along with issues with my biological father, I became a ward of the state. I was emancipated at 18 years old but thank God I started collage right away. Long story short, I was able to graduate from college and make good for myself. I am married with no children however, my dream is to one day be called mom. I know it will happen. Another dream I have is to establish a nonprofit program whereby individuals who have been through the system and have made it; could share their stories to shame the devel and most importantly encourage and motivate those who may be in the system. No matter what, this desire to serve in some capacity for young folks like Christina has consumed me and I know that it is not too late. Her story touched me and I saw a fire in her eyes. She will become very successful and one day look back and tell her story to inspire other young people.
Christina is a very wise young lady. I'm wishing her the best on this journey called life.
This is such an important episode, and very well-done. Thank you so much.
“Outside of my room, crazy things happen” - these kids need to learn to trust the outside world. You don’t need to hold your head high or put a smile on your face, you just need to go out there and trust the process - you are worthy of what everyone else is trying to accomplish. You can do it.
Good job Christina! Apartment is adorable. You seem so well adjusted for what you have been through. Great attitude you are going to make it!
Thank you so muchhh! I try🥹
So sad, yet she is amazing to me! Such perseverance! And that beautiful smile and strong spirit in the face of so much adversity! Gratitude also to the people who helped her. I would love to hear how things are going for her! I pray that she is a tremendous success story!!
I am doing so much better! Thank you for your words and believing in me and seeing me and not what I’ve been though. It means more than you know ❤
What a thrill to my day to hear from you directly! Thank you so much for that! I continue to hope that you are making a remarkable difference in the world!! I pray that you are mightily blessed by God!! Yay, you!!❤
Thank you for showing this. It’s real and more people need to be aware of the need our children and young people have.
Thank you for shining a light on this important issue!
Thank you for listening to my story ❤
Christina is such an intelligent & beautiful young woman! I encourage her to enroll in junior college, toward transferring to a university after completing the basic college courses. There are grants she can apply for at the schools' financial aid department, & she can also apply for student loans. Moreover, there are scholarships available that she can learn more about on-line, even a "first in the family to go to college" scholarship - the financial aid department can help her receive info about scholarships as well. Blessing to her. Hope you'll do a follow-up on her, because she does matter, & that was the one thing that broke this viewer's heart, how she had to grow up in foster homes where she was made to feel like she didn't matter
I agree but the government is supposed to give her money to pay for school since she was in foster care did anyone explain this to her???
She's a fighter and a survivor. God continue to bless that indomitable spirit ❤🎉😊.
BECAUSE IT’S A BUSINESS!!! THEY PROFIT FROM IT!!!
I was so touched by your life. I would be blessed to have you as a daughter. 😇🙏🏾💕
Awww thank you 🥹 I feel blessed for the consideration!
God bless this young lady.
Wow, such an Amazing Young women. I wish her the Best!❤
They should be doing better to help them finding affordable apartments and they SHOULD be top priorities! PERIOD! I'm blessed my experience wasn't this trying but it gets under my skin to see these children go through this.
This is heartbreaking. God bless this beautiful young lady. I hope she has the strength to endure and find a peaceful, happy path.
Life is hard. Smile and greet a stranger today ♥️
I surely will and these words put a smile on my face today!
Oh beautiful soul…all the best to you.❤
Thank you lovely I appreciate it so much !
This is exactly why I quit child welfare. I was tired of telling young adults that they were about to be homeless and the agency I worked for didn’t care! Smh it’s heartbreaking
Thank you so much for Sharing. I applaud your Caring Nature and Honesty in that the system remains Broken 💔& Heartless. Your one in a Billion.❤
Kids should never loose or be denied contact with thier biological families period... The foster agency should absolutely be responsible for these kids for the remainder of their lives.. horror stories of foster kids being put out on the streets..
I’m sooo proud of her
Must’ve been very difficult
Working as a guard at my local foster care office I saw a foster parent just drop their foster care child off, with all that child's belongings. That parent was like, "I can't do this." That poor child was no more than ten years old
Ten year olds can be monsters and murders too. there kids who are so hurt that they will hurt everyone else around them, should a foster parent be abused now? I have been working with the hardest kids for over 22 years. I was also in foster care in some crazy group homes. KIDS can HURT YOU TOO! There is no ONE ANSWER other than to tell people that EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO YOU IS KARMA and KARMA can transfer over from your past lives. Deal with your karma and learn your lessons then help others with that knowledge to turn it into wisdom and ONLY then will your KARMA change. sometimes people didi people so dirty in a past life that they are born into suffering in THIS one. Thats whats SUP{POSED to happen so feeling sorry for yourself is pointless. others having sympathy or empathy for you is THEIR KARMA. Honestly, how do people NOT know this and STILL expect the EXTERNAL world to give you what you need. YOUR KARMA determines that so look within!
Congratulations, Christina .
Congratulations I’m glad you have your own place 🙏🏽❤️
The city's foster agency should be sued they should have submitted Christina's housing paperwork in time, their negligence has led to this and has impacted on her life negatively.
This is heartbreaking hope she can live a good life now
I’m definitely on the path to it lol !
Thank you so much
How wonderful for her
❤❤❤
God bless her. I pray everything goes well. Hopefully, they will do a follow-up story in a year.
God willing we will! Thank you !
She seems like a really good person I hope everything worked out for her seems like she just wants a chance
Aww hugs 🫂 I totally understand I was a foster kid too. I care about you. Much love ❤
Kids of abuse really have no options. They get abused, removed from the abuse, placed into foster care just to age into homelessness and being alone. With as high as rents are now and having to make 3 times the income of place just to get approved, getting a place is almost impossible. I make well above min wage, have a degree and I still struggle finding a place. I cant imagine it for an 18 year old or 21 year old with no education or credentials.
Amazing on the ground reporting
Antonia and all of the nbc crew is amazing !!
Sadly so true I was in care for 17 years and can recall maybe having 4 good homes and a respite care provider. Sadly most do it just to add to house funds but I thank God for the few I had that really cared now I'm an author, podcaster, college advisor and rising business owner God can and does heal all wounds
This is heartbreaking ! So sad....
I aged out at 18 and got kicked out right after graduation my bags were packed. I am still struggling today at 40 due to not being able to finish college. It's so sad we should get help for as long as we need cause most of us never have parents.
This young lady is articulate, and intelligent. She's going to make it. Lord Father God, thank You for sustaining this young lady. You have been protecting her, her whole life. She didn't get this far by luck, but by Your great mercy, grace, and love. Thank you Lord Jesus Christ, in and through Your Name, Amen!
Thank you so much for your words of light over me. You are amazing ❤
This was a heartbreaking story for the ppls say at 16 get a job . But she barely tryna have a place to stay and where she does live is not permanent. As I watched this I question for a sec like do this do that but when u NEver had someone to guide u like a mom or dad or grandma or anyone u feel defeated . This girl just wanted a home she got a job . She just wanted a home and with the prices out their we all know 3k for rent ain’t easy
Thank you for seeing a glimpse into my life. I appreciate you for your thoughtfulness!
@@chrissya8296 . . . . Is there any way that I can make contact with Christina to help?
How do we help her? Is there any contact info.
Please, children, ask for a CASA advocate it will change your life.
Blessings will continue to flow
I sure Hope so!
Through no fault of her own, she was dealt a bad hand and is off to a rough start...smh. If you don't want children, do not have them. They do not ask to be born. If you have them, take care of them ...they are your responsibility, no one else's.
This is the reason I am going through the process of becoming a Foster Parent....This breaks my heart. We have got to do better for these kids!
Wow. I'm from Iowa, and it's a hard nothing for foster kids who age out, at either 18 or the day they graduate from high school. I'm certainly not saying this was easy for her, but she was lucky to get the help she did.
I am appreciative of all I’ve received because I know there are many with less. It can always be worse.
Depends on the state and frankly for people who are in homes ( like actual living with a family) the parents because even when the check stops at 18 or 21 if foster parents choose to of course they can still allow the person to stay.
As a foster mum there is no way I could abandon my child. I signed up for life with my baby boy ❤
Why would anyone not want her as a foster child she seems like such a good person I think some of the people that are foster parents are messed up
I get that she has never been anywhere but New York City and sees it as her home, but it seems like someone should suggest to Christina and to other people aging out of the foster system that they should live within their means and that trying to find an apartment in one of the most expensive cities in the country may not be the best place to start. She could find a considerably cheaper apartment in other parts of the country. That isn't to say that she couldn't move back to New York City later after she has earned more money and established a career but if she can't afford living in New York City now she should consider alternatives to homelessness.
To put this in perspective, Honolulu (which has a reputation for being very expensive) costs about 1/3 as much in rent as the prices quoted in this video and also doesn't require spending money on heat. There are many parts of the country where the cost of rent would be negligible in comparison.
I see your perspective on this. Unfortunately I can’t help were I was born and raised. Also leaving the city would null all the benefits that I could receive after struggling for the majority of my life. Moving wouldn’t be the answer maybe a answer but not the answer. Thanks for your insight though!
this painfull to discover people can be so evil toward kids