South Bay Community Services

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Baja 1000 Celebration Benefits Foster Youth

Support Foster Youth in San Diego County

 

Saturday, November 7, 2009 @ 4pm – Join 2008 Baja 1000 Champions Roger Norman and Larry Roeseler and the Norman Motorsports team as they celebrate the opening of their new race shop in San Diego.  All proceeds for the event will benefit SBCS’s foster youth program.  Meet famous drivers and racing personalities while enjoying Baja fare, margaritas, charity casino tables, amazing silent auction items and more! Tax deductable $20 donation at the door.  For more information contact Patty Chavez @ pchavez@csbcs.org.

There is more than half a million foster youth in the United States - approximately 6,300 in San Diego County. While some may be adopted, reunited with family or find permanent placement, many face instability as they move from place to place. The transition to adulthood is even more difficult. Our foster youth age out of foster care alone, often with no guidance, financial support, shelter or sense of place. They are among the highest at risk to end up homeless, unemployed or in prison.

The statistics are alarming. Recent studies have found that 12-18 months after leaving foster care:

  • 33% percent experience homelessness. As a mater of fact, three in 10 of the nation's homeless are former foster children
  • 27% of the males and 10% of females are incarcerated. In prisons alone, 70% of inmates have been through the foster care system
  • 33% receive public assistance
  • 37% did not finish high school
  • 50% are unemployed
  • 84% become a parent

Transitional living, affordable housing, mentoring and job readiness programs provided by three San Diego County collaborating non-profit agencies are designed to help counter these trends. South Bay Community Services programs work to ensure that foster youth in need find the support they need to meet their potential and live successful lives.

A special thanks to Fran Muncey of The Galley At The Marina in Chula Vista and Norman Motorsports who host the event and help make the dreams of our foster youth possible!