Opinion: Invest in the future of NYC’s foster youth

By Chowannie Singh 
As a young person living in foster care, the odds are stacked against me and the 8,000 other young people in foster care in New York City.

Statistics bear this out: according to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, half of the women who had been in foster care have given birth by age 20, compared to one-quarter of women who were never in foster care; fewer than 5 percent of men who have been in foster care hold bachelor’s degrees, compared with 31 percent of men who were never in foster care.

The instability and stigma associated with being part of the foster care system, takes a toll.

In my personal experience, it took three foster care placements over the course of a year and a half to find one that was a good fit. It was hard to see past the challenges of the present and imagine my future.

But thanks to hard work, plus access to the right supports, things now look much brighter.

My latest foster care placement is by far the best situation I’ve had as a teenager — I ended up in a home where I feel respected and valued. Just as important, I found my second family at The Children’s Village, a nonprofit organization that supports youth in foster care.

At The Children’s Village, I’ve participated in support groups with other young people in foster care, which helped me feel less ashamed and alone. The Children’s Village also provided an internship opportunity as an office assistant—working consistently and supporting the team gave me a real sense of accomplishment. Since I started last year, my internship coordinator became my mentor, coaching me and giving me more responsibility. My internship has since shifted to IT, giving me important technology skills.

These days I’m working while attending community college to study psychology. An education counselor at The Children’s Village made sure I learned how to get grants, so I’ll graduate debt-free. An employment specialist is helping me consider options for my future career. And my caseworker is continuing to support me along the way.

The staff and volunteers at The Children’s Village often talk about the three keys to a young person’s success: education, work, and lifelong relationships. Those of us who have had a rocky start to life face many barriers and often need a bit of extra help — that’s what The Children’s Village provides.

For the first time in my 18 years, I’m optimistic about my future. I’m determined to share my optimism with others, especially other young people in foster care, and advocate for the opportunities we all deserve. Recently, I got up my nerve, fired up my Zoom connection, and spoke at a City Council hearing about the importance of investing in support services for kids in foster care.

As I told the City Council, I am the embodiment of the values of Children’s Village. Its mix of social and educational support helps young people like me succeed despite our circumstances.

I know the toll of COVID-19 this past year means that demand for education and counseling service is extra high. At the same time, potential budget cuts mean important social programs across the city are in danger. 

Young people like me are working hard to build our future. Even in these difficult times — especially in these difficult times — we’re asking New York to join us, to support us and invest in our future.

Chowannie Singh is a student at Queensborough Community College.