Advocating to End Generations in Foster Care: The worst nightmare for many former foster youth is that they lose their own children to the system. Yet lack of resources and exposure to child welfare put these young parents at higher risk; 40% of Rise writers grew up in foster care themselves.

In 2012, when Rise began working to end intergenerational foster care placement, one-third of New York City foster youth lost custody of their own child while still in foster care. By 2017, that dropped to one in five. Rise:

• Ran annual writing groups for young parents who grew up in foster care, publishing the issues What It Takes and Someone to Turn To and collaborating with the Center for Family Representation on Know Your Rights trainings for parents in foster care.
• Published a white paper and partnered with CSSP to convene a citywide circle of advocates, led by young parents, that addresses policies and practices that put youth at risk.
• Supported advocacy by young mothers who grew up in foster care: Sara Werner, Sharkkarah Harrison, Dominique Arrington, Latoya Fitzgerald, Lindsey Reilly, Melissa Landrau, Laquana Chappelle, Mariya Kolesnichenko and many more.