Preparation for Independence!

By Danny Vann, FCs
More than just a Declaration of your Desires, you need to prepare for life on your own (after Foster Care.) You really CAN exercise your right of freedom and pursue your own happiness… there are things you should DO NOW to help you get there.

Here is a list of Actions to MAKE IT HAPPEN! If you take these steps you can go from just being a survivor, to overcoming the odds and become a very happy THRIVER!

First of all, you absolutely MUST finish High School, or get your GED in order to build a strong foundation for the rest of your life. Half of aging out youth do NOT finish high school and (50%) wind up homeless or dependent on the government or other people. If you want to be FREE, you need to get an education and some work skills in order to earn a living and feed yourself. Take a minute and read my article:
Follow Your Passion Into Your Career. It will give you some inside information on becoming successful AND satisfied in your job.

Plan for your trip into the future! Where do you want to go? What do you want to see? Do you have dreams and goals? If not, you need to decide what you are going to do for a living. Where are you going to live? How will you pay for rent, groceries and utilities? I can tell you from experience, you DO NOT want to live from couch to couch with so-called friends or long-lost relatives. If you do, you can plan on moving around many more times than you have already. There are several Housing programs around the US that can help you up to the age of 26. (see details below for ordering my FREE eBook)

Learn what you can about Finances and creating a spending plan. You will need to know how to manage your money, pay rent and other bills and services like electric, gas, cable, Internet and more. If you do not know how to do these basic things, schedule an e-appointment with my friend William Aemisegger, he conducts FREE Financial Training seminars to help teach people these things.

Before you venture out into the world all alone, find yourself at least one Mentor or successful adult to consult with when you need help. If you have never been totally on your own, you will need some sound advice from time to time. If you don’t know anyone locally, check with my friends a YouSeeYou .org they have Free Life Coaches and Mentors that want to help you. (You CANNOT age out of their system!)

You will need to have Healthcare basic insurance coverage as well. If you have no adult that can sponsor your coverage, connect with 211-Essential needs Help Line. There is no need for you to be hungry or at risk for health issues and major bills if you have an emergency.

Finally, as you stabilize your life and began to get used to doing things on your own, don’t forget the others out there that might need a helping hand. Volunteer where and when you can. Always be ready to help someone less fortunate that you.

There is so much more that I can share with you, connect with me at my website at www.DannyVann.com where you can get my FREE eBook which contains over 3-dozen links to FREE resources available to help you out. (Including a free cell phone program.) Sign up for my Newsletter.
You can also find me on Facebook – DannyVann FosterCareSurvivor.

You CAN do this. I believe in YOU. If I can do it from being an emancipated minor at 17, YOU CAN DO IT TOO! Now, go ahead! Live the rest of your life the way YOU want to live it. Reach out to me if need some friendly input.