WIGH Mentor Foster Adopt

Help impact trends for youth aging out of care and help them break the cycle of abuse. Help equip our foster youth to be self-sufficient and productive adults and contributing citizens.


 

40% of the nation's homeless were in foster care as a child.

 

— National Foster Care Awareness Project/Youth Today/March 1999

 


58 % of the youth utilizing federally funded youth shelters are former foster care youth.

— National Homeless Organization/Sept. 1998

 

One study found that within 12-18 months of leaving foster care:

•  27% of the males; 10% of the females had been incarcerated

•  33% were receiving public assistance

•  37% had not finished high school

•  50% were unemployed

 

— National Foster Care Awareness Project/The Casey Family Program/1996

 

 

Baltimore Study: 77% of foster teens required a mental health referral

 

— National Adolescent Information Center/May 1996


A 1998 study found that within 12-18 months of leaving foster care:

•  55% had completed high school

•  50% were employed

•  18% had been incarcerated

•  
32% were receiving public assistance


— Courtney & Piliavin/1998



According to Westat Inc., a national study of independent living programs for emancipated foster youth, the average child is rarely completely independent before the age of 25.

— FamilyCircle/1999

PRODUCTION SPONSORS

 

 

Transition Resource

 Action Center

 

 

 

Design America

 

 

AMS Production Group

 

 

Wellness International Network

 

 

The Creative Group

 

 

 

MEDIA SPONSORS

 

 

 

 

PRODUCTION CREW

Jon Patrick Daly, Director
Luisa Mendoza, Director of Photography
Adria Butcher, Associate Producer
Amy Hollier, Production Assistant
David Marks, Audio
Rob Cox, Gaffer
Donald White, Dolly Grip
Brian Vilim, Key Grip
Steven Kray, Utility Grip
Derek Illes, Utility Grip
Andy Marsh, Makeup Artist


ACTING COACHES

Cythnia Dorn
Summer Selby
Patrick Amos


"WIGH" ADVISORY PANEL

Rose Benham
Director, Child Protective Services
Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
Austin, TX

Laurie Glaze
Managing Director
Adopt 2000
Houston, TX

Linda Wright
Arlington District Director
Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
Arlington, TX

Todd A. Landry
President and CEO
Spaulding for Children
Houston, TX

Janet Luft
State PAL Program Specialist
Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
Austin, TX

Bill Lund
CEO
Covenant Kids
Arlington, TX

Marleigh Meisner
Public Information Officer
Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
Granbury, TX

Michelle Rigg
Director of Social Services
Safe Havens of Kornerstone
Arlington, TX

Evy Kay Ritzen
Planning Director
Target: Kids in Court
Dallas, TX

Sharon Walker
Foster Care Director
Letot Center, Dallas County Juvenile Dept.
Dallas, TX

Geoffrey Wool
Director of Public Information
Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
Austin, TX


TRAC ONSITE PARTNERS

Karri Alexander
WorkSource

Sheryl Dudley
Child Protective Services

Jennifer Grant
TRAC Coordinator

Imtiaz Haiyoom
Target: Kids in Court

Jim Hirt
TRAC Mentor Coordinator

Mike Ramsden
Gulf Coast Trades Center

Evy Kay Ritzen
Target: Kids in Court


DESIGN TEXAS ADVISORY PANEL

Douglas May
May & Co.

Marian Moore
M Square Design

Bryan Peterson
Peterson & Co.

Chris Rovillo
Rovillo Design Associates

Joanna St. Angelo
Sammons Center for the Arts

Mark Steele
M Square Design

Tracey Turner
The Creative Group

Ron Thompson
Design America

Eileen Yedwab
AMS Production Group

VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Lynn Dahart and the staff of North Dallas High School

Eileen Yedwab

Evy Kay Ritzen

Jon Patrick Daly

Cynthia Dorn

Doug May

Rick Stephens

John L. Ernst

And to the cast who has shared their story and inspired us with their courage to make "When I Get Home" possible as well as their families, caregivers and case workers who supported their efforts!

© 2004 Transition Resource Action Center  www.traconline.org