
Lauren Zack
Host: Public Counsel
Sponsor: Latham & Watkins LLP, Spotify
Jean provided legal assistance in child welfare, housing, public benefits, and related legal matters to current and former foster youth ages 18 – 21 through walk-in clinics and referrals from Philadelphia resource centers through the Representing Youth Transitioning to Adulthood Project (RYTA).
When young people leave the child welfare system, they are cut off from resources they have relied on for years. Former foster youth struggle to live independently and achieve their goals: by age 24, only one in four has a job, and less than 3% graduate college by age 25. Between one-third and one-fifth of youth who age out of foster care will become homeless. These youth have multiple needs, yet there are no entities that provide holistic advocacy. RYTA offers youth one place to address all of their legal barriers to stability and independence, with a focus on assisting youth in reentering the child welfare system after age 18.
In the past two years, Jean has:
Now that the Fellowship is complete, Jean plans to: