Every youth deserves a chance to chase their dreams

For immediate release

Contact: Gita Gopal 650-224-7131 or gita@afutureforeverychild.org

Sunnyvale CA: Most people know about the plight of orphaned and abandoned children and the need for quality alternative care. However, people are generally not aware that support stops at age 18 and youth “age out of the system” without the means or support to build an independent life for themselves. This is true for youth exiting foster care here in California and it is true for the young adults aging out of institutional care in India. Except in India, survival on the streets as a teenager is extremely difficult and dangerous.

A Future for Every Child (AFEC) is a US-based nonprofit that focuses on this ignored vulnerable population in India - we provide career counseling, financial support for skills training, help with job placement, and mentoring for 2 years until the young adult is firmly established in a well-paying, steady job. There are over 60,000 young adults who require this help every year.

“We started the program just two years ago” said AFEC’s co-founder and president, Gita Gopal. “And despite the impact of COVID-19, we have been able to enroll 312 youth (50% young women) in our program with 40 of those already in steady jobs.”

AFEC is having a fundraising gala on August 28th, at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, CA. The theme is Reaching for the Stars: Stories of Hope and Inspiration and the chief guest, Dr. Swati Mohan, Guidance, Navigation, and Control Lead Systems Engineer for Mars landing missions, will share her exciting journey literally reaching for the stars!

The goal of the fundraiser is to help another 100 young adults aging out of institutional care in India.

The lead sponsor for the event is Shastha Foods, a brand synonymous with authentic, wholesome Indian food.

For more information on AFEC’s program, and our impact so far, visit our website https://afutureforeverychild.org

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