Hello! My name is Sadye, and I am currently trying to raise funds for my aunt's foster son, Taivion. Taivion aged out of the foster care system last year and has been unhoused in Michigan ever since. Recently, he broke his foot and is in the hospital. My aunt is a public school teacher in the south and is trying to figure out a plan for him to move to the same state as her. We need help covering funds for ticket costs and initial rent/groceries. He has had a strong relationship with my aunt since she first emergency fostered him in middle school and she is his only family. If he were to move to the same area as her, he would have a loving support system. Please help us with providing resources for Taivion.

Youth that are still in foster care by the age of 18 are "emancipated" or released shortly after the time of their 18th birthday. Often, with no family or access to resources, many of them find themselves with no place to stay. According to the National Youth Foster Institute, an average one out of four youth in foster care will become homeless within four years of aging out of the foster care system. Nationwide, 50% of the unhoused population has spent time in foster care. Nearly 60% of young men who age out of the foster care system and are legally emancipated have been convicted of a crime and 1 out of every 2 kids who age out of the system will develop a substance dependence. Furthermore, the Juvenile Law Center has stated that 90% of youth with 5+ foster placements will enter the legal system. Taivion has had way more than five placements. Our foster care system is broken, and too many times, kids are left to slip between the cracks.

Every child deserves to feel safe and loved for. Taivion deserves to feel safe and loved for. I have calculated the cost for relocation and the first six months of rent and groceries in the state where he would move. It has totaled to be around 7,000-10,000 dollars, which is where I have set the goal for this fundraiser. Please donate if you can! If you cannot donate, please share! Thank you.