Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.
Our 21st birthday is an exciting and momentous time, a final rite of passage into adulthood. However, for Shayla, it was one the scariest moments of her life. As we sat together and dissected each other's lives, it was apparent that the biggest barrier that hindered her from graduating college on time was money.
"I have financial issues. How can I focus on school when I have to work almost full-time? I have to survive; I can't rely on my family like everyone else. I am a full-time student but I don't have time to study. I love school, but it is preventing me from making money so I can eat and have a home."
Unfortunately, this is common for most youth who age out of care. Especially in Philadelphia, a city where the living wage is $12.20 an hour, minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, and the rent average is over $1,000.
During the fiscal year of 2018-19, The Philadelphia’s Needs Based Plan and Budget Narrative estimates that 268 young adults will age out of the system. With this in mind, how many young adults aging out the system and in the general population can say they will be able live comfortably on their own?
"The biggest thing is I had no one to help me manage my finances, I am struggling with that. As a college student, I wish they had a program to support me and other foster youth through college and not just until the age of 21. I turned 21 in my sophomore year of college, and as a senior I am struggling to graduate, I am very stressed, I have to choose between going to class or making money to live."
With a 14-3 vote, Philadelphia’s City Council approved the “Fair Workweek” bill that addresses this exact problem that many young adults face. This bill requires businesses with over 250 employees and over 30 locations across the country or state to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
Along with the pay increase, the bill makes changes to other employment standards including but not limited to, work schedules, rest time between shifts, and on-call policy.
This is a big step in the right direction for all of those who are employed in the City of Philadelphia, especially for our youth in care. This bill gives us a little more hope, so that a young person like Shayla, never has to choose between educational attainment and surviving.
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