When you’re 17-years-old, life is filled with ups and downs. Most 17-year-olds are only beginning to have an idea of what they want to do and who they want to be. Many 17-year-olds are ready to begin their futures beyond high school, while others have their own fears about entering the world of ‘adulting’.
Imagine being 17 and dreaming about what your adult life can transition into while also wishing to be adopted by a family to love you. That’s just what 17-year-old Haven is holding out hope for. Haven is from Oklahoma and has been growing up in the foster care system since he was 12 years old. As he nears his 18th birthday, he is beginning to lose hope of being adopted.
Haven’s story has since gone viral, and the internet’s response to this amazing young man has a lot of people eager to take him in as their own.
Aging Out of Foster Care
Every year, thousands of children will wind up within the foster care system. According to childrensrights.org, there are close to 438,000 children in foster care. In 2016 alone, more than 687,000 children spent time within the system. On average children remain in the state’s care on average for close to two years. In addition, approximately six percent of children will likely be left with no other choice but stay in foster care for five years or longer. (1)
When entering foster care, children are placed into homes through the court system. The average age of children entering foster care is seven, and 12 percent of children in the foster care system live within institutions or group home settings. The remaining children live within temporary foster family settings.
The Aftermath of Foster Care
Foster care is intended to be temporary, though many children will be forced to transfer from one care system to another. It’s estimated an overwhelming number of approximately 20,000 children will sadly age out of foster care each year without being adopted into permanent families.
- Approximately 20% of children will become homeless immediately upon turning 18 and aging out of the foster care system.
- It is believed there is a less than 3% chance for children who have aged out of the system to earn a college degree.
- 7 out of 10 girls will become pregnant before the age of 21 if not placed into a loving family before they turn 18.
- Approximately 25% of children who age out of the system will suffer directly from PTSD. (2)
Haven Needs a Home
Haven aspires to one day join the military with the intention of “being a part of something bigger than myself and to serve my country.” He recently was given the opportunity to excitedly tour the halls of the Army National Guard. Currently, a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Haven described the tour as a dream come true.
When asked by local Oklahoma news reporters to share more about living in a shelter with four other children, Haven admits, “It gets old at times. Just being there. Not being able to go out whenever I want.” Haven longs for his own sense of freedom. A freedom that cannot be obtained through being in the foster care system. But most importantly, he longs for a loving home.
As Haven turns 18 in October, his concerns of being adopted before time runs out continues to grow. And he isn’t picky about who will take him in. Haven’s request is simple, “Anyone who will take me. I don’t really care. As long as it’s a family that will show love for me and be there for me. So you can have someone to help you, be there for you if you need help. Not just going into it blind because that’s how you get into drugs and bad stuff like that.” (3)
It seems Haven may be in luck! Haven’s story has taken social media and the internet by storm since the interview. There has been an outpouring of love and support sharing his story nationwide. Many who found his story are not only moved, but have offered to adopt the young man themselves. Numerous posts exist of individuals lovingly and warmly inviting Haven to join their families. Many have noted that they called the number provided to gain more information on adopting Haven.
Shedding Light on Darkness
While Haven may get his wish of finding a loving home before he ages out of the foster care system, many will not be as fortunate. Haven’s story is one that makes you wonder- if all news channels ran more stories as touching as Haven’s, how many more children would find forever homes? All too often our society takes an out-of-sight-out-of-mind approach to difficult areas needing improvement. Hopefully, stories like Haven’s will teach all of us the power of support and compassion for our fellow man.
