Did you know that only 3% of kids that enter foster care end up graduating from college? There are nearly half a million youth in foster care nationally, and nearly 8,000 in New York City. These youth are disproportionately youth of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. In New York City, 21% of youth in foster care graduate with a high school degree or equivalency by the time they leave the system at the age of 21. By 11th grade, only 20% are deemed proficient in English, and 5% deemed proficient in Math. Across the city, the overall high school graduation rates rose to 81% in 2021, while the rate for those in foster care remained at 21%. While the graduation rates are increasing for some, youth in foster care are left out. Due to no fault of their own, unprepared for adulthood and trying to survive, half of all youth who age out of foster care end up homeless or incarcerated at some point during adulthood. Inspiring Futures works to change these statistics.
Our mission is to empower and uplift youth and young adults to live their lives and be successful, with a special focus on youth with current or past involvement in the foster care, homeless, and juvenile justice systems, and those at risk of entering those systems. Our vision is to create a thriving community of individuals touched by these systems who are leading independent and successful adult lives. Our Values are: Integrity, respect, social justice, and flexibility! Integrity: We are open, honest, and transparent about all programmatic decisions and policies. Respect: All services are delivered centering “voice and choice” and by uplifting those within the communities we serve. Social Justice: We center the voices of those in marginalized communities in all services and decisions and ensure our staff reflect the demographics and lived experiences of youth who participate in programs. Flexibility: Our services are customized based on the student’s interests and goals and adapt as needed.
