Statistics don't look favorably upon foster children who have aged out of the system.
"According to national statistics provided by Arrow, 40 to 50 percent of [foster] children will never complete high school. Sixty-six percent of them will be homeless, go to jail or die within one year of leaving the foster care system at 18.
Arrow also said 80 percent of the prison population once was in foster care, and that girls in foster care are 600 percent more likely than the general population to become pregnant before the age of 21."
Source: Amarillo Globe-News
However, studies have found that adolescents in foster care who develop compassionate attitudes toward themselves and others have better resilience and mental health. Adolescents who engage in meaningful participation also seem to be more resilient.
Involvement in church or community service can provide both of these things for children and adolescents in foster care. Traits of psychological resilience also include self-understanding, strong social support, and faith—all of which can be found in a compassionate church environment.
Foster kids can connect with churches through BAANK's Operation Relaxation program (our a once-a-month foster parent night out), youth groups, or Sunday School. The Central Church of Christ recently hosted a VBS for foster kids during Operation Relaxation where the kids had an opportunity to hear a Bible story by watching a puppet show. Likewise, parents can connect through parenting classes that are provided through a church, or by church attendance.
Although sadly many foster children face a bleak future, there is hope for some futures to be bright by nurturing compassion and resilience through involvement in church and community service. Of course, the benefits of church involvement are not limited only to foster children, but there is no better environment in which to cultivate compassion, engage in meaningful participation, and gain useful tools for life.
