Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 10, 2015

six-bed residential group home for male teenage 
probation youth. In 2008 the agency changed 
its focus to address the needs of the emancipated 
foster youth 18 and older. It was disheartening to 
witness the tragic outcomes for those who were 
ill-prepared to strike it out on their own upon 
turning 21 when they “aged out” of any further 
financial support, counseling or other services. 
This population continues to increase in numbers 
and still needs assistance as they learn to navigate 
the adult world with no family to support them. 
The shift in programming enabled Journey House 
to assist a larger number of former foster youth by 
focusing on what is needed to make a successful 
transition into adulthood. A wide body of 
research indicates a correlation between former 
foster youth and higher-than-average rates of 
homelessness, substance abuse and incarceration.

 With a track record of more than three 
and a half decades, Journey House is able to 
demonstrate how seemingly small, yet consistent 
assistance and support can have life-changing, 
life long impact. Like any other family, the 
agency serves as the homestead where adult 
Journey House “kids” return to simply check–in 
on Tim or Program Director, Jorge Camarena, or 
to get advice about work, relationships, money or 
whatever is important at the moment. Sometimes 
these kids are surprised to find out that the “folks” 
have held on to something for safekeeping, like 
some personal artwork with obvious sentimental 
value, which was thought to have been long gone. 
Clearly the relationships established at Journey 
House extend well beyond the mandated age for 
foster care.

 As the only known agency of its kind in 
California that provides assistance to former 
foster youth age 21 and older, Journey House is 
solely focused on what happens to former foster 
youth once they begin to “age out” of the system at 
age 18. The agency’s current Beyond Foster Care 
campaign is focused on assisting former foster 
youth to complete their college studies and to make 
a successful transition into living independently 
as adults. For more information about this special 
campaign, other programs and how you might 
help, please visit: www.journeyhouseyouth.org or 
call (626) 798-9478.

 

21

MISCELLANY

 Mountain Views News Saturday, October 10, 2015 

GUTIERREZ continued from page 15