Eastern Michigan University
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Why MAGIC?

Why is there a need for support services for alumni of the foster care on EMU's campus? What we know about foster youth:

  • 3% of alumni of foster care complete a Bachelor's degree by the age of 26 compared to 24% of the general population. (Courtney et al, 2011)
  • "The rates of post-traumatic stress syndrome among alumni of foster care were HIGHER than among war veterans!" (Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative, 2007)
  • The mean income for alumni of foster care is $13,989 compared to a mean income of $32,312 for the general population. (Courtney et al, 2011)
  • 48% of alumni of foster care are employed, compared to 80% of the general population. (Courtney et al, 2011)

  • 57% of alumni of foster care indicated that they lacked individuals to loan them money in the event of an emergency. (Courtney et al, 2011)

  • Fewer than half of alumni of care have bank accounts, making them vulnerable to predatory lending practices and paycheck cashing shops. (Courtney et al, 2011)
  • 22% of alumni of foster care became homeless for one day or more after aging out of foster care. (Pecora et al, 2005)
  • Just over 33% of youth from foster care dropped out prior to college degree completion compared with only 18% of their non-foster care peers. (Day et al, 2011)
  • "Those who left foster care were twice as likely to be unable to pay rent and four times as likely to be evicted." (Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative, 2007)
  • "Youth in foster care receive classes to learn life skills, yet 33% of youth in foster care report a lack of preparedness in several skills." (Reilly, 2003)

MAGIC is part of Academic Success Partnerships (within Academic and Student Affairs), 301 Pierce Hall, 734.487.0899 facebook