Foster Children Making A Difference

Raif, Mandy, and Micah are three young adults who aged out of the foster care system who are featured in the film; From Place to Place. The documentary follows the lives of those three as they try and change the foster care system. 

Their story brings to light the issues surrounding foster kids who age out of the system with out any help. The movie follow these youths throughout two years of their lives. In this time Micah is sentenced to three years in jail, Mandy gets her GED and goes to college, and Raif struggles to find love and happiness in his life.  

Mandy and Raif are also given an opportunity to make a difference by talking to members of The Senate Caucus of Foster Youth. They are able to tell their stories about the foster care system and what it's like to age out. After their time in D.C. they embark on journey across the country speaking about their experiences to people

In 2011 more than 27,000 children aged out of the system, when children age out of the system the majority of them are left with out any future support. These children are left vulnerable to many hardships in their adult life. Nationally 54 percent of these children graduate high school and an only 2 percent of kids will go on to receive a bachelors degree. An overwhelming 51 percent of aged-out kids are unemployed. In Oregon alone there were 255 children who aged out of the system in 2009.

These children are exposed to life with out any means of support and the statistics prove just how hard of a time they have. This is why Mandy and Raif's stories are so inspiring. They are amazing examples of foster care youth who are making a difference for foster children who age-out of the system.