Unprotected: Aging Out Of Foster Care

Christina Abraham’s 21st birthday loomed with dread. The milestone meant she was aging out of the foster care system and needed to find her own place to live. Christina met with NBC News’ Antonia Hylton in the months surrounding that deadline, sharing her experience in a group home and the obstacles to securing housing in New York City.

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[The_Quili]

I aged out of foster care. My parents simply didn't want me as an adolescent. I had no support system after and had dealt with homelessness on and off since. Kids need support and someone that cares!

[bavery]

This young woman is going to "make it", no matter what. Her strength runs deep...

[zuzao]

After all of her cruel lonely life, she still has this good pure soul, couruge, kindness. I hope God will protect her <3 shout out to all good people

[KC-gubi]

So, kids raised in foster care face the same situation going out into the world as someone who has been incarcerated. How messed up is that? God bless the people at Hearts to Homes for helping young people get the helpful launch into the world that every kid deserves.

[jennifertai]

I was a former foster youth. It's been a struggle always being in survival mode constantly struggling with basic needs with no safety net to fall back on.

[QUEENZEE]

I hope she's still doing okay. She's a beautiful spirit.

[nataliagarcia]

I’m so happy that she finally has a home to go to, she is blessed.

[happygrandmaruthP]

I worked in a group home and was let go because I reported the mistreatment of the children.

[bluebonbon]

When I was told as a teen that once I was out out of the juvenile detention I would have to go to a group home to live, I ran away at 18. This was in the 1960's when the age of adulthood was 21. I left Minnesota and never looked back. It was difficult and many problems were still in my future. BUT I'm now 75, I've got adult children, adult grandchildren and I'm very happy to have 10 great-grandchildren. I was in foster care starting as an infant, adopted, then again in foster care, unadopted, and a runaway. But I am still alive!

[Hey-Ro]

I understand her. I was in foster care from 6 - 18, 5 different homes/schools.

One thing I know, having the right parents and listening to them changed the direction of my life. But, most importantly accepting the Lord Jesus Christ truly change my life forever.

My quick story: I went from foster care to working on feature films. Endgame, Star wars, Sonic 2, etc

[therealbusinessblonde]

Beautiful spirit and smile ❤ I wish her all the best. Her story is so important and we need reform of the foster care system

[mam]

What a beautiful young lady! I hope she has a brighter future!

[lacebird]

I can completly have these same feelings. Maybe we should connect single women, mid-60s, struggling to get by and all alone with a young vibrant “aging out” young person ! It brings Oxygen and Sunshine into our lonely lives! It will keep us feeling young and connected and caring for a young person who needs all the tlc we still have to give

[FeliciaFollum]

As a foster parent this is so disheartening. We tried so hard with all of the kids.

[JaneDoe-c]

I really feel like this beautiful intelligent young lady will be successful. She's strong, she doesn't give up, she has personality. She's gonna be fine, and I hope she'll be fine very soon!

[hat]

NBC interviewing....and helping her financially???
They should!!!!
🙏

[justmejenny]

Chrissy, I am so happy to see you with your own place. That has to be a huge relief. Your story touched my heart. I was a foster mother for many years until I adopted a sibling group of three. I hope all the children I fostered know that I truly cared for each of them. I hope someday you start a family of your own. Maybe be a foster parent yourself. You have turned into an intelligent, beautiful woman and you deserve love and stability in your life. God bless you and keep you safe.

[marih]

It's sad that there isn't an agency that works one-on-one with these young adults. I was a foster child in the 1970's. I had an absent Social Worker. Finally as an adult she came through my check out line at the store I worked at drunk, so Security called her husband. He explained she was indeed an alcoholic. The system is BROKEN all the way around.

[tashajourneys]

Such an emotional story. I wish her all the best. Her tenacity and spirit makes me excited about her future now that her basic needs are starting to bed met.

[RD-uewb]

She seems so collected. My guess is she "seems" that way, because that's the only way for her to get thru life. There has to be times of fear, whether or not things will be okay at some point, at any point. I wish I could hug her, and look her in the eye and let her know she does matter. There is something to be said for her strength. She is mature for her age. It's certain that's because she's had to be.