By Tasha Matthews

Photo, left: Staff and mentors at Fostering Opportunities Scholarships

Part I in a series on foster youth programs

September 22, 2015 (San Diego)-- Half of all foster kids in the U.S. end up homeless as adults.  Just 10% go to college, and of those, only 3% graduate. Although foster youths comprise less than 0.3% of the state’s population, 40% of the people in homeless shelters are former foster youths, as is a high percentage of the country's prison population. Over half (51% ) of foster youths are unemployed.  Yet despite these staggering statistics, many foster  youths are bright, talented individuals who have proven that they can thrive—with help from some local groups working to help them have a brighter future.