As teenagers in the foster care system begin to “age out” at the age of 18 in the state of Louisiana, they have a difficult time adjusting to independent life and can experience homelessness, unemployment, and no further education past high school. Because Louisiana has the lowest care available for teenagers aging out of foster care, a majority of young adults are not prepared for individual living and society (Congress 2006). Louisiana’s only governmental program currently available is the “Chafee Foster Care Independent Program” and has been proven to be serving less than half of qualified youths. Through reports given, Louisiana provides one of the lowest available funds for aging out youths in the country (Congress 2006).Most of the shocking statistics surrounding young adults “aged out” of the foster care system stem from the constant moving that occurs during the aging out process and afterwards. Without a stable community, many fall behind in school and are unable to learn marketable skills which makes it difficult to gain employment (Schmidt LMSW Melanie. 2017). A community is needed to give this young adult demographic the opportunity to thrive in a safe environment.

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            A theoretical model for solving this problem is located in Israel in the form of modern day 21st century kibbutz. Kibbutz is a community that aims at ending the alienation through a communal living model which has dated back to 1909 (Joanna Kramer & Sophie Kasakove. 2017). Kibbutz were originally formed from each person in the community offering a service that would better the unit as a whole and creating a self-sustaining lifestyle. Today, modern Kibbutz continues to reflect the values of a non-oppressive society that aims to be beneficial to today’s problems (Joanna Kramer & Sophie Kasakove. 2017). With the modern kibbutz style, the communal environment diverges drastically from regularization of modern day apartment living that may be scary and unknown to foster youths that are used to a more communal way of life. Through incorporating this model, the building becomes an expression of what the individuals living in it hope to achieve in society. A place for everyone to associate with a permanent residence and work to making their transition into independent living greater while focusing on long term goals and financial stability. Without a place to associate with as home or a support system, aging out teens have lower odds of achieving long term success.

 

              Using the kibbutz community living model based out of Israel, a communal environment will help transition adults “aged out” of foster care, giving them a higher chance of success in independent society.