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Writer/Producer: Shawn Holiday
Turning 18 is a time of great anticipation, a rite of passage that teenagers eagerly embrace. But the thought turning 18 can fill some Southwest Florida teenagers with dread. Youngsters in foster care “age out” of the system at 18 and must live on their own. While they do get some funding and assistance programs, many are not prepared for the challenges of facing adulthood on their own. A program called Footsteps to the Future, which since 2001 has been assisting and mentoring young women who must leave foster care in Lee County, helps fill that void. For many teens, the mentors provided through the program become a vital fixture in a disrupted life. Reaching out to each other takes trust and patience, but the journey is rewarding and the relationships made will benefit everyone.