On average, there are about 400,000 youths in the foster care system. Each year about 23,000 of them will reach their 18th birthday and be declared emancipated minors, 5,000 of those 23,000 youth will face homeless within the first 18 months! As the saying goes, “It takes a village.” That is what It took for me and, that is what it will take for every child in care. In that spirit, here are some resources.

MEDICAL RESOURCE: Just because you age out of the system at age 18 does not mean your need for medical services goes away. Luckily being a former foster kid entitles you to coverage under Medicaid until your 26th birthday!

Just go to
eligibility.com/medicaid to apply.

Free cellular phone service if you are a homeless or low-income person. Go
to assurancewireless.com or safelinkwireless.com to apply.

In need of food? Shelter? Advice? Check out fosterclub.com/Michigan. They are a wealth of resources.

Places to live in a pinch.
City Rescue Mission (Lansing, MI)
bearescuer.org
Covenant House (Detroit, MI)
covenanthouseacademy.org
Good Samaritan (Bay City, MI)
gsrmbaycity.org
TLP-Reach (Flint, MI)
reach-traverseplace.org
Have Mercy (Greenville, MI)
havemercymi.org

1. Tuck.com Homeless Shelter Directory: List of different shelters and who they serve by U.S. state.
2. Foster Youth to Independence
   It is a program developed by Secretary Ben Carson and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help solve the homelessness problem amongst youth in transition.
   When I was still in the system during the ’90s, there were very few programs like this. Here are a few of the highlights:
   1. Must be 18-24 years of age.
   2. Has left foster care or will leave care within 90 days of applying.
   3. Is homeless or is at risk of becoming homeless.

   If you meet all the above requirements and are pregnant, you are still eligible if you do not have an open welfare case.
   Go to www.hud.gov/fyi for more information and to apply.

Act (HR 4980) Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act.

1. Designed to help youth aging out of the system obtain documentation like social security cards, birth certificates, etc., before they age out of the system. Without these crucial documents, you cannot.
2. Get your diploma or GED.
3. Get a driver’s license.
4. Purchase your first car.
5. Get a job.
6. Get your first apartment.
7. Establish Credit

Because of how challenging these times can be, it is common to lean on something to numb the pain. My drug of choice was food but just in case.

ADDICTION:

• National Association for Children of Alcoholics 1-888-554-2627
• Drug Abuse National Helpline 1-800-662-4357
• Alcohol Treatment Referral Hotline (24 hours) 1-800-252-6465
• Alcoholics for Christ 1-800-441-7877

RUNAWAYS:

• Boystown National Hotline 1-800-448-3000
• National Runaway Safe line 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929)
• Laurel House 1-714-832-0207
• National Runaway Switchboard 1-800-621-4000
• Teen line 1-888-747-TEEN

SUICIDE:

• Suicide Hotline 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
• 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-827-7571
• Deaf Hotline 1-800-799-4TTY
• Holy Spirit Teenline (717) 763-2345 or 1-800-722-5385

CRISIS (PREGNANCY)

• Crisis Pregnancy Hotline Number 1-800-67-BABY-6
• Liberty Godparent Ministry 1-800-368-3336

Places to eat in a pinch:
Capuchin Soup Kitchen – Conner Kitchen
Detroit, MI 48215
313.822.8606
Monday-Saturday
Breakfast: 8:30-9:30am
Lunch: 11:00am-1:00pm
Dinner: 4:00pm-6:00pm (except Saturday)

Cass Community Social Services
Detroit, MI 48206
313.883.2277

Corpus Christi Parish – Emergency Food Pantry
Detroit, MI 48235
313.272.0990

HUDA CLINIC
Counseling and Mental Health Services
13240 Woodrow Wilson St 48238
(313) 865-8446

• Free Medical
• Dental &
• Mental Health Services

EDUCATION ASSISTANCE:
Sometimes all we need is a hand-up, not a handout. The reality of homelessness is real, but so are the resources to recover from it. Checkout: fc2success.org/our-programs for help with

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Financial assistance for college
• Care packages
• Academic/personal mentoring

Michigan Education & Training Vouchers:
Go to mietv.samaritas.org for application requirements.

Foster Futures Scholarship:
Go to michigan.gov/mistudentaid to apply.

I would love to think that this list is the end all be all of the resources, but it is not. That said, as more resources become available, I will update them. If you are reading this and are aware of other resources not listed, email us at fosterforward@outlook.com, and I will add them. Thanks a bunch.