Facts about Incarceration of Foster Youth:

• Did you know 90% of foster children will come into contact with the juvenile justice system before leaving child welfare?
• Black children are about twice as likely to be placed in foster care as white kids.
• It’s estimated that a quarter of former foster youth will be involved with the criminal justice system within two years of transitioning out of child welfare.
• Sixty percent of all child sex trafficking victims have histories in the child welfare system and are often criminalized when what they need are support services.
• Police may be called upon to deal with a child struggling with a mental health need and officers may not have the training to handle the situation appropriately.

NFYI works to advocate for current and former foster youth on the issue of juvenile justice. Our advocacy is spurred by our Juvenile Justice Think Tank, which was created as a response to President Joe Biden’s juvenile justice policy plans and to document why youth within the child welfare system become justice-involved. It also looks at how much time they spend wrongly in juvenile justice facilities. The Juvenile Justice Think Tank, is composed of members and staff who have experience in both foster care and the juvenile justice system. Today there are 400,000 children in foster care. And this year, 20,000 young adults will age out of the system with little to no support. We need your assistance to continue to help fund our advocacy training and workshops, help our young people travel to congressional briefings and town halls, craft policy recommendations, and to continue to uplift and amplify #FosterYouthVoices.

For Race Participants:

• Get registered to participate by making a donation of any size here.
• PRIZES: Participants who donate/raise $25+ will receive a medal. Note: Participants who donate/raise $50+ will receive a t-shirt. And participants who give $100+ will receive a special swag bag!
• Invite others to sponsor your run. You can find suggested email, text, and social media language here.
• Announce your participation on social media far and wide. Get folks excited! You can find suggested posts and graphics here.
• Print out your 5K race bib, write your name on it, and wear it during your 5K run/walk or stroll.
• Anytime between October 6th and 8th, do a 5K in your local community. Feel free to run, walk, roll, or stroll. Be sure to take photos and/or video and post them on social media using #FosterYouth5K and be sure to tag @NFYInstitute. We’ll be sharing your moments! For current and former foster youth impacted by the juvenile justice system we’d like to have you also use the hashtag #LostDaysJJ on social media.

For Sponsors:

• Know someone who’s participating in the virtual 5K? Sponsor them by making a donation here. Be sure to include their name before you finalize your contribution.
• Share your action on social media. You can find suggested posts and graphics here.
• Congratulate your participant/s between October 6th and 8th!