Perhaps the most often-overlooked population affected by the child welfare crisis is transition-aged youth. When it comes to foster care in particular, most people envision children between infancy and early teens. Yet, 13% of all kids in foster care are 17 or older (most states offer extended foster care for qualifying youth). Over 15,000 transition-aged youth in foster care age out each year, many without a support system. Because of this, they face not only the system’s flaws but also navigating them alone.
The stats reveal the crisis. By the time transition-aged youth turn 21:
- 44% will experience homelessness
- 76% of young women will become pregnant
- only 4% will get a college degree or vocational license
This is why we partner with organizations like Timothy Hill Ranch, a family-style residence for transition-aged youth in foster care. They provide a structured and supportive environment with life skills workshops and mentorship to help residents establish a stable, thriving adulthood. For one young man, Jackson, the Ranch provided the community he needed to start healing. Read this young man’s story of hope where Jackson finds his voice.
Jackson’s Story of Hope
The van ride to their recent youth conference was quiet. Jackson didn’t want to be there, and he showed it by wearing his earbuds and covering his head with his hoodie. Though the Timothy Hill Ranch staff tried to spark conversation, he kept looking out the window as the world sped by. The staff knew Jackson wasn’t being disrespectful, just distant. He’d been that way on and off since arriving at the Ranch about seven months earlier. Jackson brought hurt and broken trust from his past, carrying more than anyone his age should ever have to. Because of this, he struggled to let his guard down around others.
Still, Jackson loved people. Behind the walls he built and his wary eyes, he longed for connection. He chose to attend the conference as a volunteer despite the challenge, reflecting what the Timothy Hill staff already knew: Jackson thrived on responsibility. One of his favorite things to do at the Ranch was to mow the grass. He zoned in, finishing with neat, straight lines. It gave him peace, purpose, and pride.
At the conference, the room buzzed with breakout sessions, high-energy activities, and new faces. For Jackson, crowds could be overwhelming. His anxiety made it hard to jump in, so he hovered on the edge, present but guarded. The Ranch staff stayed close, supporting him without pressure. They knew Jackson wrestled with painful inner narratives, but they also knew if the right moment came, Jackson might surprise them.
Healing Through Community
That moment arrived during a session where the conference speaker invited attendees to “walk through” one of seven symbolic doors representing a different aspect of well-being. One by one, participants were invited to walk up, choose a door with a word that resonated, and explain why.
Jackson sat back, arms crossed, as others stepped up. But slowly, something in him softened until he leaned over to a staff member and quietly said: “Community.”
When asked further, he continued, “I think I always thought I didn’t need people. That it was safer to stay alone. But being here, being with the Ranch, I don’t know. I actually like people. I just don’t always know what to do with that.”
There was a pause, and then a staff member asked gently, “What’s your dream?”
Jackson looked down for a moment, then met their eyes.
“A healthy family,” he said. “That’s what I’ve always wanted. But I guess choosing community is the start to finding a healthy environment.”
Jackson’s statement wasn’t dramatic or loud, but for a young man who spent years in survival mode, voicing a dream spoke to a deeper breakthrough. Later that day, he laughed more freely and joked with staff. He didn’t hide in the crowd. He helped pass out materials after a session, gladly taking on a task that gave him a quiet sense of accomplishment. Something that made him feel useful, steady, and seen.
Support a Transition-Aged Youth in Foster Care
Moments like Jackson’s show of vulnerability matter. Not every transition-aged youth’s story of hope comes wrapped in a perfect package. But when a young man steps out of isolation, speaks what he hopes for, and begins to move toward it, healing finally begins. Jackson continues his journey, but he knows he’s not alone. He’s part of a community for transition-aged youth in foster care where he can belong. Most importantly, he believes that one day, he can find a family to love him.
When you give through For Others, you support partners like Timothy Hill Ranch, who help young people write their stories of hope. A supportive community, structured living, and empowerment programs help ensure fewer transition-aged youth in foster care feel left behind. You can make a difference for a young person like Jackson today. Make a donation at the button below.
