Press Release: Watch our Community Conversation: Girls In Foster Care
Contact: Ms. Timeless Tate FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cell phone: 334-233-5327 March 18, 2021
Email: Timeless.Tate@youthoasis.org
Watch our Community Conversation: Girls In Foster Care
Baton Rouge- This March, in tribute to International Women’s Month, Youth Oasis is hosting a virtual conversation entitled Community Conversation: Girls In Foster Care. The conversation will have Ms. Mary Davis and Ms. LaShonna Keller, two women who are both staff at Youth Oasis and have had years of working and advocating for youth in the foster care system. The video will be released in late March on our YouTube page, for the community to learn more about the issues and structure of the foster care system that impacts girls and young women.
Youth Oasis is a non-profit organization that provides housing, advocacy, and resources for youth and young adults ages 16-25. Serving youth who experience homelessness, juvenile justice, and the foster care system. Girls and young women that are in foster care often suffer from many forms of trauma and experience sexual abuse and domestic violence. A study was done with 155 girls ages 4-17 in foster care, sexual abuse was reported by 81%, and 68% were sexually abused by more than one individual. This conversation is vital for the community to counteract the many misconceptions and lack of information that happens within the foster care system. Creating more education and better ways for everyone to support and advocate for young women, and all youth in foster care.
Youth Services Program Director, Ms. Mary Davis knows first hand the challenges most young women are struggling within the foster care system, She shares that “Although foster care can be a resource, many girls and young women have been affected by sexual abuse, neglect, and even violence within the system. The educational resources and tools on how to effectively work with these young women simply don’t exist or are inaccessible. There's so much work to be done!”
We believe in community support and it takes a village to help youth! Donations and funding to support Youth Oasis will be greatly appreciated. To learn more about Youth Oasis and our services, please visit our website at www.youthoasis.org or email us at Info@youthoasis.org. Our Doors Are Always Open!
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The mission of Youth Oasis is to support youth and young adults recovering from the trauma of homelessness and family separation through housing, healthcare, and advocacy. They work toward a Louisiana that cares for, supports, and affirms all youth, nurturing their growth into responsible, resilient citizens. They are founded on the ideal of breaking the cycle of homelessness in our community and state by operating the foster youth shelter, transitional living center, and Diversity House. To learn more, visit youthoasis.org.