DOWNTOWN : Event Marks Foster Youths’ Triumphs

Four years into the county foster care system, Jason grew so distraught about the child abuse he had suffered from his parents that he contemplated suicide.

Although he was placed under the care of his grandmother, Jason--then 12--still longed for an affectionate relationship with his mother and father.

“I just felt so abandoned,” said the 18-year-old Compton youth, who plans to attend Santa Monica Community College in the fall. “Having to not be with my parents every day, that was the hardest thing.”

Eventually, his grandmother and a newfound faith in God filled that void and gave Jason hope “to go on with my life,” he said.

Jason’s words echoed a common theme among the 118 college-bound foster youths who recently received recognition for their personal triumphs at the fifth annual “Independent Living Celebration” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The celebration marked their “graduation” from the foster care system.

Co-sponsored by the county Department of Children’s Services and the United Friends of the Children organization, Monday’s event drew nearly 200 people. Hollywood stars such as Henry Winkler and Whoopi Goldberg also made appearances.

All of the students have earned grade-point averages of 3.0 or higher. Eleven received scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, while the rest were awarded smaller amounts to help cover their living expenses.

County officials said the 118 foster youths came into the system mainly as victims of physical or sexual abuse from parents. They have also experienced neglect from parents who are drug users.

“Some were battered, some were molested, some were just out-and-out abandoned (and) some were so severely deprived of food and shelter that we had to step in,” said Peter Digre, director of children’s services.

Foster youths become independent adults and are no longer supported by children’s services once they reach 18 or have earned a high school diploma. In the meantime, they are encouraged to complete a voluntary Independent Living Program--a series of classes that prepares students for such everyday responsibilities as balancing a checkbook, cooking and finding housing.

Based on previous children’s services studies, 30% of foster teens go on to college, 40% enter the work force and 30% drop out of college, lose their jobs or wind up homeless, Digre said.

Noella, an 18-year-old Dorsey High student, already chose to step out of the foster care system earlier this year and into the “real world.” She works at the high school to pay her monthly rent of $450.

“It was pretty scary,” said the youth, who has been accepted to USC’s computer engineering program. “But this (Independent Living) program gives you the ability to deal with your fear, to face it head-on.”