CHARLOTTE, N.C. — According to The National Foster Youth Institute, 1 out of every 4 youth in foster care experiences homelessness within four years of aging out of the system.
But advocates across North Carolina are working to address this issue.
Raleigh leaders just announced $1 million in federal funding for supportive housing for youth transitioning out of foster care.
In Mecklenburg County, a team of youth leaders is working to create housing options for teens leaving foster care.
Donna Lee Reed is founder and executive director for Home4Me, a nonprofit that's a voice for teens aging out of foster care.
The organization is getting accolades for its services helping youth.
Home4Me received Pride Magazine's 2024 Non-Profit of the Year award.
Reed was recently recognized by Nexstar Media Group Inc.'s top 5 remarkable women across our country.
"This was out of 10,000 women," Reed said. "It meant a voice for me to go national so people understand what our young people are facing."
"Because our young people are aging out of foster care on their 18th birthday," Reed said. "While they are teenagers, we're making sure they’re OK and we’re staying consistent in their lives. If they do not have a plan, a place or parents, they end up homeless."
"We're making sure we avoid that, especially for the ones that desire to attend college," she said. "Eighty-four percent of our youth in foster care desire to attend college, and less than 3% go due to a lack of finances, support, guidance and housing."
"That's why we are doing what we do," she said.
Reed is preparing to launch a major project to help youth who must leave foster care.
As part of the Together We Win team, Home4Me and youth advocates are launching a $4 million fundraiser.
The funds will be used to build Grandma's Place, which will consist of housing for youth aging out of foster care.
"It will be that safe place when they age out prior to graduating high school, they can come and live here in Mecklenburg County, finish school and stay until they start their college career," she said. "It's also a safe place for them to come home to if they're at a college [with] a dorm closed."
Reed says Grandma's Place will include more than housing.
"There will be resources, skill and talent development, [an] art studio, dance studio, tutoring, technology, all of these will be recreation activities and learning for them," Reed said. "But they will have their own space and place to call home."
Being in position to empower teens hits close to Reed's heart.
"Mary Johnson walked into an orphanage and got me out," Reed said. "She walked into an orphanage when I was a toddler and she was in her mid-40s. She took one look and called my father and said we're about to have a little girl."
Reed says what her parents did inspires her to help teens today. She's encouraging others to do the same.
"A lot of our young people call me grandma — it's because that's the connection I want to have with them," Reed said. "They are our children and we have to make a difference."
Reed says more details about the fundraiser will be announced in May, during National Foster Care Month.
Home4Me is also preparing for an Old School Family Cookout on May 18, to celebrate youth and community.
You can RSVP for the event on the Home4Me website.