May is National Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to recognize the more than 365,000 children across the United States who are in foster care and to honor the caregivers, child welfare professionals and community partners who support them every day.
Behind each number is a child who has experienced abuse, neglect or abandonment; young people navigating uncertainty at a time when they need stability most. Here in Florida, which ranks third in the nation for foster care placements, the need for safe homes and comprehensive support continues to grow.
Approximately 18,500 youth age out of the foster care system each year without a permanent family. Without the stability and guidance that many of us take for granted, these young adults face significantly higher risks of homelessness, unemployment and poor health outcomes. That reality underscores the urgency of expanding support systems, including homeless teen transitional living programs like Youth Haven’s Rob’s Cottage, where older teens gain the skills and confidence needed to move toward independence…