Weekly Wrap-Up 04/7/2022

Changing Lanes, Changes Lives

The Domino Effect of Not Having a Driver’s License.

For young adults who age out of foster care, not having a driver’s license simply adds to the extensive list of challenges they already face. 

Our Changing Lanes Service has helped former foster youth get behind-the-wheel training and obtain learner’s permits and driver’s licenses, so they have more opportunities to thrive.  

Iza Le Roux, JIT’s Changing Lanes Coordinator, helps our participants with driver education courses, driving lessons, and assists them with covering fees associated with the licensure process, which averages over $700.  

Without a driver’s license, the challenges can be enormous, as Iza explains, “In areas like North County, where bus routes are not accessible, or consistent, it makes getting to places much harder. It’s also more expensive to get around. When trying to get to a place where public transportation is not accessible, using Uber or Lyft can get expensive, and rides add up.”  

Not having a license also impacts decisions about where to live if you depend on public transportation.  

There are several reasons why it’s challenging for foster youth to get a license. A common experience is that as they move around between different foster homes, they might start a driving class at one school but leave before completing it. 

Just in Time for Foster Youth believes that every young adult aging out of care needs a community they can turn to for support when making life decisions or needing some help. 

Here some of our participants reflect on what they’ve been through: