Who's Rescuing Foster Kids, Runaways And High School Dropouts? (SLIDESHOW)

More than 4 million people between ages 16 to 24 were either unemployed or had dropped out of school in 2000, according to Philanthropedia.org. Yet, these at-risk youth typically get the least amount of funding, since donors often feel that they can make more of an impact intervening during the early childhood stages.

To determine which organizations best help underserved young people, including the homeless, high school dropouts, runaways and those living in foster care, Philanthropedia asked 88 experts to recommend -- and rank -- the nonprofits that most effectively cater to these populations.
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Comments

[Nick Cole]

08:53 AM on 12/01/2011

It is a good thing that there are programs that will be able to help at-risk youths. Its great to see them happy and smiling. Keep up the good work and I hope more parents find your program. Here is a great online resource I found for anyone need to know about at-risk youth: http://www­.atriskyou­thprograms­.com

[broui]

11:43 AM on 10/25/2011

Wendy's has an outstanding record of supporting foster kids over the years.

My wife an I are fostering to adopt. Our new son arrives Friday. He's being sponsored by Wendy's. What a tragic life this kid has led so far. Some people try on kids like they do clothes. What a sick world we live in.

[see-ellen2001]

06:14 PM on 10/25/2011

Broul: congratulations on your new son! You are wonderful for giving this boy some stability in his turbulentl life.

[mikey09]

11:23 AM on 10/25/2011

Maybe we should outlaw dropping out of High school, in my state you cannot quit school till you are 18 without a parents consent, and what parent is going to agree to quitting school.

[meeljefe]

03:18 AM on 10/26/2011

You'd be suprised.

[bvelozo]

10:54 AM on 11/28/2011

How many parents would charge kids Room and board as soon as they got a job? Some parents just don't care. And just because they cant quit doesn't mean they just won't go.

[VA Jill]

10:31 AM on 10/25/2011

Apparently only ONE of these outfits (YouthBuild USA) is doing anything for the kids after they "age out" of foster care. Did you know that kids are automatically kicked out of the system on their 18th birthday, whether they are still in school or not? Some foster families will keep them until they graduate, in spite of the fact that they're getting no money and are doing it on their own dime. Others, who are only in foster care for the money, just kick them out. The results are predictable and the DHS or CFS or whatever it's called in your state doesn't care. There are a few programs designed to mentor kids who are aging out of the system but they are not highly visible or even available in most areas. I tried to find one to work with when I lived in Tennessee, but nobody knew anything. I even called DHS and they just blew me off; I guess they don't want anyone knowing what a lousy job they do. But the percentage of former foster kids who are homeless and/or have substance abuse problems is pretty high. There seems to be some correlation there......

[mikey09]

11:27 AM on 10/25/2011

Contact local foster care groups, I work with transition kids now, was a foster Mom for 30 yrs, now I've aged out, but I still work with transition kids, those who are aging out. I help with learning how to grocery shop, open a bank account, fill out applications, you name it, I try to help, from finding the best car repair shop to knowing all the best consignment furniture stores....:-)

[shirley thomas]

11:06 AM on 10/27/2011

u are right. foster kids being kicked out then they turn 18 even if they only have a few months to go before they graduate from high school. many oft hese children are living in homeless shelters and on the street. i shudder to think how history will rate us, for how we are treating those that have the least