| |
Senators Clinton and Landrieu Call for Expanding AmeriCorps Opportunities for Former Foster Children
Senators Speak Out in Honor of National Service Day
Source: clinton.senate.gov
For more information, contact
Joyce Johnson
Phone: 804/492-4519
Cell: 703/980-7641
E-mail: jjohnson@cwla.org
June 20, 2002, Washington, D.C. -- Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY) and Senator Mary Landrieu (LA) joined with young adults and advocates at a Capitol Hill news conference to announce the introduction of legislation to assist people who are aging out of foster care transition to independence.
 Today, the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), and New Democrats across the country are calling for the expansion of national service opportunities in a "National Service Day." As part of this effort, Senator Clinton is introducing two bills to offer these at-risk young adults the chance to participate in AmeriCorps and provide resources to develop the skills they need to contribute to their communities.
The Senators were joined by Warren Norris, a former foster youth from Poughkeepsie, New York and current AmeriCorps member with the Peace Camp program in Poughkeepsie, and Richard Heyl, Executive Director of Youth Resource Development Corporation, which operates two AmeriCorps Programs there as well.
Additionally, nearly two-dozen children from the "Save the Children" initiative, which combats child poverty and hunger, and Tim Briceland-Betts of the Child Welfare League participated in the event.
The 16,000 young people who "age out" of our nation's foster care system each year often lack direction and the resources to begin living independently, and the results are troubling: 46 percent lack a high school diploma and 25 percent have been homeless. A significant proportion has spent time in jail.
"The transition from foster care to independence is not an easy one for young adults who often lack the basic support that other young people are able to take for granted. Without the tools, resources and guidance to make it on their way, these young adults too often run into hurdles that they can't clear alone," Senator Clinton said.
"The legislation we are introducing today would help provide these young people the direction and resources they need to live independently and reach their dreams. And this is a wise investment in our communities because it helps keep at-risk youth in jobs or school and off the streets," Clinton said.
The "Fostering Service Act" will provide opportunities for youth aging out of foster care to give back to their communities by participating in AmeriCorps or by mentoring other foster youth. The program builds on Senator Clinton's work in the White House on behalf of foster children. The "Opportunities Passport Act" will provide $10 million in demonstration grants to support youth aging out of foster care. Senators Edwards (NC), Landrieu (LA), Lieberman (CT), and Dodd (CT) are original co-sponsors of Clinton's legislation.
As the Clinton Administration's most prominent advocate on foster care and adoption, then First Lady Clinton promoted the adoption of children living in foster care and worked for passage of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, and the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999, two pieces of landmark legislation which reformed our nation's child welfare system by putting considerations of children's health and safety first. Clinton and House Majority Whip Tom DeLay were honored for their work on behalf of foster children at the Orphan Foundation of America's (OFA) annual OLIVER Awards Dinner on June 12, 2000.
Creating a strong system of voluntary national service has been a signature New Democrat idea from the founding of the Democratic Leadership Council, to President Clinton's AmeriCorps initiative.
 Back to Top  Printer-friendly Page  Contact Us
|
|
