The numbers
The numbers show why our mission matters.
According to NCFA's 2024 report, over 70,000 youth are waiting for a permanent family, and many face major barriers to stability and opportunity.
According to NCFA's 2024 report, over 70,000 youth are waiting for a permanent family, and many face major barriers to stability and opportunity.
Youth in foster care often spend years navigating instability, and education remains one of the strongest pathways to opportunity. These statistics highlight why our work matters.
Foster youth face significant barriers to higher education compared to their peers. Under 4% of former youth in foster care go on to earn a four-year college degree, and under 6% receive a two-year degree.
Source: National Foster Youth InstituteChildren living in poverty enter the foster care system at higher rates than children who are not in poverty. Poverty and neglect together have lasting negative effects on childhood development.
Source: ScienceDirect