Promoting decent lives after foster care for foster youth was the main focus of the mock city that was created on the Bakersfield College campus Oct. 14.
The event was put on by Kern County of Human Services, Foster Youth Services, and BC.
There were many activities that educated the foster youth on how to be an adult, how to find an apartment, how to pay rent, and how to pay utitilies.
?”The biggest thing we’re trying to accomplish is to teach them (foster care youth) what it’s like to be an adult,” said Kurt Williams, Social Service supervisor for Independent Living Services.
“By doing this, the foster youth are able to find out their resources here in the community.
Frank Tucker, who is now 18, was in foster care for two and a half years and now is emancipated and living in a group home while attending BC.
He is taking math and english and is a criminal justice major.
“I couldn’t have done it alone,” said Tucker.
“It’s helpful for youth who are trying to emancipate themselves.”
The Bakersfield Jam kicked off the event and gave out prizes to the youth attending.
It was an all-day event that went on until 4 p.m. and ended with a guest speaker Josh Shift, a foster youth speaker that pepped up the kids.