More than 4,000 youth are in the New York City foster care system, and as many as 700 age out each year without any adult to turn to for guidance.
In New York, only 21% of these young people have a high school degree or equivalency when they age out of foster care at 21 years-old, 1 in 5 enter a homeless shelter within three years of aging out and only 3% will obtain a college degree.
Fair Futures, which is a coalition of child welfare agencies, nonprofits, foundations, advocates and young adults, helps ensure these foster kids stay on the right track. In 2019, the Fair Futures model was launched citywide at all 26 foster care agencies, and since then, hired more than 450 staff and provided support to nearly 3,000 young people in foster care ages 11 to 21 through Fair Futures coaches, tutors and specialists.
