I know what it feels like to be legally called an adult while still having no real safety net. I experienced foster care and trafficking, and I spent time homeless as a young adult. I was homeless for a few months at 18, and then again at 19 and 20. That is exactly why National Homeless Youth Awareness Month matters so much to me. Too many young people are expected to turn 18 and suddenly know how to survive everything on their own.

People forget that becoming 18 does not magically make you ready for housing, work, transportation, paperwork, healing, and basic stability. For young people leaving foster care especially, that gap can become dangerous fast. When there is no consistent support, homelessness is not some abstract possibility. It is what happens. And once a young person is pushed into homelessness, they become even more vulnerable to exploitation, trauma, and harm. I know first hand the harm and dangers of the streets for young people like me. Foster youth are more likely to be victims of trafficking. 

I am calling on state child welfare leaders and lawmakers to expand housing and real transition support for youth aging out of foster care. That means stable housing options, extended support beyond ages 18-21 and practical help navigating adulthood instead of cutting young people loose the moment the system says they are old enough. If we know these young people are at higher risk, then we also know what our responsibility is: make sure they do not face homelessness alone.

This month is about awareness, but awareness without action is not enough. Young people who have already been through so much should not have to fight for survival the minute they become legal adults. Please sign this petition and help demand real support for youth leaving foster care before more young people fall through the cracks.