The Problem

Every year approximately 25,000 youth age out of the foster-care system.

Many of these young people are alone and vulnerable, without skills and resources to live an independent life. None of this is their fault!

In Alabama, between 300 – 500 youth leave foster care either by aging out or emancipation annually.  That does not account for ALL of the children who run away from their foster placements or returned to their family.  This figure also does not include youth in juvenile correctional facilities or those who are at risk and in need but who never entered the child welfare system.

So we know the numbers are greater.

The founders of Second Shift have years of experience working with this population. We simply could not watch another child step out into the world alone and unprepared only to end up on the streets or in jail. Unacceptable!

The Outcomes

Lack of Connections

Youth who are aging out do not have
long lasting connections to stable adults
who can provide the support and
assistance that they need to transition
into independent adulthood.

Homelessness

1 in 5 of all aging-out youth
will be homeless within 2 years of leaving care.
Many will leave care with no place to go
and those who have a place to go
are often not able to sustain stability.

Unemployment

Half of all youth who are aging out will not be employed
2 years later and many who are employed
will not make enough money to provide
for themselves without supports and resources.

Incarceration

50% of all youth who have aged out will be incarcerated
within 2 years of leaving the child welfare system.
74% of our country’s inmates
and 80% of those on death row,
are foster-care alumni.

The National Cost

Approximate annual number of youth
aging out of foster care in the nation.
$
Estimated lifetime cost of social services
for each youth in the nation.
$
Total lifetime cost of each cohort
every year in the nation.

The Alabama Cost

Approximate annual number of Alabama youth aging out of foster care.
$
Estimated lifetime cost of social services
for each youth in Alabama.
$
Total lifetime cost of each cohort
every year in Alabama.

The Solution

Research shows us that if an at-risk adolescent has a connection to at least one caring stable adult, that support can make the difference between being being a successfully independent contributing adult or a statistic. However, connections can only be made and thrive when basic physical needs for food and shelter are met. 

We know what the problem is.
We have seen the results of the problem.
We know how to fix it.
But we can’t do it alone. 

Everything that Second Shift is doing comes back to these two interwoven needs for our kids:   Basic Care & Connection.

Learn more about what we do
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