After leaving the foster care system because he was “aged out” by turning 18 years old, Ernesto Yanes-Arnold spent much of his 20s living in his car.
But at 32, with the help of housing assistance, financial advice, and a heap of self-advocacy, Yanes-Arnold has an apartment, a college degree, acceptance to graduate school — and a letter of recommendation from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Yanes-Arnold found his purpose as a voice for former foster youth like him, and several years ago his work caught the attention of Bass, who has championed his story of resilience.
“I’ve learned how to advocate and I’ve learned how the system works,” Yanes-Arnold said. “I’ve been taught how to turn my pain into power and I’m really blessed.”
Yanes-Arnold and Bass stood together with non-profit leaders and former foster youth on Monday, July 8, to announce expanded homelessness prevention services for young adults, ages 18 to 24, who are leaving foster care.
Offered through the RightWay Foundation and Children’s Law Center, and funded by The Mayor’s Fund for L.A., the expanded foster youth services include greater mental health, workforce training and financial literacy resources, along with six full-time staff positions, who will help foster youth find housing and food assistance.
Los Angeles County is home to more than 25,000 foster youth who are aged out when they turn 21, unlike the 18 year cutoff of years ago.
But about one-quarter of foster youth who age out at 21 end up facing housing insecurity, according to the Children’s Law Center.
“This expansion will include the young people aging out of the foster care system, because we know that housing is number one,” Bass said at the July 8 announcement, “but young people, like anyone else who is at risk of falling into homelessness, need services. So the services here will be tailored to meet the specific needs of young people.”
In June, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority announced its estimate that the city of L.A. has about 45,252 homeless people, based on a count it conducted over three days in January. The 2024 homeless count represents a dip of 2.2% compared to 2023.
“We need to make sure our youths start to heal,” said Franco Vega, the CEO of the RightWay Foundation. “We’re super excited about this particular partnership with the Mayor’s Fund, to provide these resources.”
Former foster youth such as 25-year-old Mercedes Jackson said homelessness prevention services can make a big difference.
“After I aged out, I was homeless and sometimes couch surfing,” she said. “It was really difficult. But now I’ve been connected to a lot of opportunities and support.”
Jackson is no longer homeless and is transferring from community college to UCLA in the fall. Jackson said her goal is to become a social worker and support kids and young adults in the same position she was in.
“By investing in these programs, it’s not just helping with housing, it’s giving us the tools to build a stable and prosperous future,” Jackson said.
The Mayor’s Fund for L.A. provides several resources to people facing housing insecurity which are not limited to foster youth. For anyone facing potential homelessness, the Mayor’s Fund offers an emergency hotline, which can be called at 213-584-1808.
