The Ministry of Children and Family Development in British Columbia provides foster care for children from birth to the age of 19. But when youth reach their 19th birthday, the parental role of the government finishes abruptly – even though young people may not yet be ready for independent living. This automatic termination of support is known as “aging out.” Experts say that this is the most challenging moment in the lives of youth in care, and the weakest part of the foster-care system.
This is a story about Violet-Rose Pharoah, a former child in care. After she overcame the challenges of aging out, she started a blog “The File Folder” that allows other young people who were in care to share their experiences. Her goal is to collect 365 successful stories with the goal of motivating kids who are currently in care to make a more successful transition to adulthood. She remembers how lonely and unsupported she felt when she was discharged from care, and she knows that even today many youth feel the same way. She hopes now to build up a network of online support, to show other kids that they are not alone.
