Los Angeles (KNX) - Maggie Lin is our Hero of the Week for her work supporting foster youth through a non-profit she cofounded called Foster Nation.
Currently, nearly half a million kids are in the US foster care system, and when they age out, many are left with nothing to start their adult lives.
Maggie founded Foster Nation in 2016 and tells KNX reporter Heather Jordan the goal is "to prepare, support, and empower foster youth as they are aging out of the system to become self-sufficient adults."
As a former foster system child herself, Maggie intimately understands some of the struggles these young people face.
Maggie spent eight years in the Los Angeles County foster care system, starting at ten and leaving when she turned 18. During that time, she was moved between six placements, while her younger sister was placed in nine different homes.
Fortunately, in her final foster home, Maggie had a mentor who recognized her potential and encouraged her to attend college. Thanks to that guidance, she graduated from Dartmouth College with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.
Many foster youths experience an average of 15 to 50 different homes before turning 18 and are released from the system with little preparation or resources.
Maggie says this lack of consistency and support has resulted in over 50% of foster youth becoming homeless or incarcerated within two years of aging out.
Foster Nation is working to change this by providing various supportive services, such as career coaching and mentors to help foster youth build foundational life and professional skills.
By offering career guidance and mentorship through Foster Nation, Maggie is changing the lives of foster youth - noble work worthy of a spot as our KNX Hero of the Week.
Listen to the special, extended conversation with Heather Jordan below.
Check out all our KNX Heroes here.
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