‘Tis the season for giving as there are many charities and organizations that help children and families in need in the Blue Water Area. We report on them often, especially during the holiday season, however, there is one group of young people who sometimes slip through the cracks. Those are foster children who have aged out of the system and could really use some extra Christmas spirit and some gifts right now.
Each case is different, but their common bond is that they are trying to take charge of their lives after being in foster care. They are not eligible for Department of Health and Human Services programs because their cases have been closed but they are monitored through the Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative. According to a memo from Sunshine Ratliff, MYOI Coordinator for the St. Clair County Department of Health and Human Services, these youths are aged 17 to 24 with some that are young parents, in school, live independently, and are in the workforce.
If you are interested in helping Sunshine out with sharing the holiday love, she needs you to take action quickly. To help support these young people, please email her at ratliffs2@michigan.gov where she will direct you to a website to sign up for gifts.
Reporting for WGRT, Kelsie Kaczperski.
