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General notes:

The names in this episode have been changed to protect the identities of the storytellers.

We believe it’s important to listen to stories from care leavers. 

These particular care leavers are part of our organization, Lighthouse Transitional Care, a Christ-focused nonprofit organization in Riga, Latvia. We work with young adults aged out of the orphan care system or from difficult family backgrounds. Our goal is to mentor and lead them toward healthy adulthood. We do this by building mentoring relationships and teaching practical life skills.

Statistically, one out of 10 care leavers “makes it.” The others go to prison, are trafficked, become houseless or die 1–5 years after leaving care.

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Quotes from “Sidney” on aging out:

“There’s shame and guilt associated with asking for help because you’re supposed to be independent.”

“What helped? Having one or two stable, reliable people in my life.”

“My ultimate goal is to be at peace with myself.”

“Misfortune doesn’t come alone. If you’re already at a disadvantage or in a vulnerable position, you’re more likely to get into another one. And for that, I don’t have a solution yet.”

Quotes from “Allison” on aging out:

“Everything that I got [as I was leaving care] was from God. My relationship with Him is a life-long friendship.”

“As a single mother, you have to accept yourself and stop thinking of what you used to be. Being a single mother saved me from drugs because I had to think of my health. You can survive and become a normal person like everyone else!”

“I always wanted to not be alone, because when you grow up in the system, you don’t have family. Now I have a family. Even if we are just two, we are a family. We are there for each other.”

“In the system, we are alone. We are afraid to be weak. We are just trying to survive. It’s a fight every day. [I want other care leavers to] find people to show them, not only how to live, but also how to have a connection with God.”

Find us:

http://thedrygroundproject.org

@thedrygroundproject on Instagram

@drygroundproj on Twitter

thedrygroundproject@gmail.com

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