New York foster Children Deserve More Than Trash Bags: A Call for Dignity
Table of Contents
The image is jarring: a child, entering the New York City foster care system, clutching a black plastic trash bag—their entire worldly possessions. This isn’t a scene from a dystopian film; it’s the harsh reality for many children navigating the complexities of the system. “Children in the New York City foster system transition, on average, to three different homes. For some, this means three different schools, families, and environments,” highlights the instability these children face.
For many former foster youth, the indignity of carrying their belongings in trash bags is deeply scarring. One former foster child, Sofie, shared, “For many former foster children, including one of the authors of this piece, Sofie, our possessions are symbols: the treatment of our belongings leaves us feeling degraded, dehumanized, and traumatized.” The lack of proper luggage isn’t just about practicality; it’s a symbol of the system’s failure to provide basic dignity and respect.
The frequent transitions—often abrupt and unplanned—leave many children feeling voiceless and powerless. “During abrupt transitions, many of us fall silent. I know for myself, I struggled to find my voice and advocate for proper luggage. I felt like I had no authority over my own belongings,” Sofie explains. This lack of control over even the most basic aspects of their lives exacerbates the trauma they already experience.
While a statewide pilot program, “My Bag,” distributed 3,560 duffel bags in 2023, this barely scratched the surface of the need. The program reached only a quarter of the children requiring assistance, and New York City, home to over half the state’s foster children, received none. This highlights a critical gap in support for vulnerable youth.
Other states, however, are leading the way.Oregon, Texas, and Maryland have all passed legislation to ensure that foster children receive appropriate luggage, demonstrating a bipartisan commitment to improving the lives of these children. This positive action in other states underscores the urgent need for similar reform in New York.
The fight for dignity for New York’s foster children is far from over. Advocates are pushing for legislation to mandate adequate luggage for all children in the system, ensuring that every child feels valued and respected, not discarded.
NYC Foster Children Deserve Better Than Trash Bags
For too long, children entering New york City’s foster care system have been forced to carry their entire lives in trash bags. This dehumanizing practice, a stark contrast to the city’s efforts to maintain cleanliness, must end.A new bill, championed by NYC Council Member Rita Joseph, aims to finally address this critical issue.
Last month, Council Member joseph introduced the “Luggage to Foster Care Youth” bill, a comprehensive piece of legislation that mandates adequate luggage for all children entering the city’s foster care system. The bill is fully funded and includes robust enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance.
“When I was first handed a large black trash bag by a caseworker, I did not speak English, but I got the message—I, and everything I held dear, was trash,” shared Sofie Fashana, a policy expert at Next100, a think tank focused on lived experience in policymaking. Fashana’s experience highlights the profound emotional impact of this practice.
This sentiment is echoed by many young adults who have navigated the NYC foster care system. Jaylen, now 21, recalls the feeling of “worthlessness” that echoed in her mind, the trash bag serving as “confirmation” of that feeling.Destiny describes her belongings being ”mixed up with trash” and thrown into garbage trucks multiple times during moves. another child moving with trash bags was told to “shut the f*** up and deal with it” by an agency representative.
The instability inherent in the foster care system is well-documented. According to the AFCARS Foster Care Annual File 2021,children in the NYC foster system average three different placements. This means three different schools, families, and environments – a meaningful challenge for any child. Yet, despite the over 22,000 transitions within the city annually, providing adequate luggage remains a tragically overlooked aspect of the process.
In the winter of 2023, New York City implemented a ban on certain types of trash bags to improve street cleanliness. Council Member Joseph argues that the city’s children and their belongings deserve the same level of respect and dignity.
The “Luggage to Foster Care Youth” bill represents a significant step towards ensuring that every child in the NYC foster care system is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. It’s a simple act, but one with profound implications for the well-being and self-esteem of these vulnerable young people.
New york City Council Member Rita Joseph represents Brooklyn’s District 40. Sofie Fashana is a policy expert at Next100, a startup think tank built to center lived experience in policy making.
Honoring Dignity: Providing Proper Luggage for NYC’s Foster Children
The image of a child entering the New York City foster care system clutching a black plastic trash bag is a stark reminder of the challenges these vulnerable youth face.For many, this isn’t just a temporary inconvenience, but a lasting symbol of their displacement adn lack of agency.
A new bill,championed by NYC Council Member Rita Joseph,seeks to address this issue head-on,ensuring that every child entering the system is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. We spoke with Dr. Emily Carter, a child welfare expert and advocate, about the “Luggage to Foster Care Youth” bill and its potential impact.
World-Today News: dr. Carter, why is providing proper luggage such a crucial issue for foster children?
Dr. Carter: It’s critically important to remember that these are not discarded items – these are children’s most precious possessions, frequently enough the only tangible connections to their past. Being told to carry them in trash bags sends a devastating message: that they and their belongings are disposable. It undermines their sense of self-worth and can exacerbate the trauma they’ve already experienced.
World-Today News: How does this bill aim to change the current situation?
Dr.Carter: The bill mandates the provision of adequate luggage for every child entering the foster care system. It’s fully funded and includes robust enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance. This isn’t just about practicality; it’s about sending a clear message: we see you, we value you, and we believe in your right to be treated with dignity.
World-Today News: The article mentions the story of Sofie, a former foster child who experienced this firsthand. Can you speak to the lasting impact this can have on young people?
Dr. Carter: Sofie’s story is heartbreaking, but sadly, not unique. These seemingly small indignities can have a profound impact on a child’s sense of self-worth and their ability to trust adults. This can make it even harder for them to adjust to their new environment and build healthy relationships.
World-Today News: What kind of impact could the bill have on individual children and the foster care system as a whole?
Dr. Carter: Providing proper luggage is just one step, but it’s a powerful symbol of change. It welcomes children into the system with dignity and respect, signaling that their needs are taken seriously. It can help them feel seen, heard, and valued, which can be crucial for their long-term well-being.
World-Today News: Thank you so much for your time and insights, Dr. Carter.
Dr. Carter: It was my pleasure. Let’s work together to ensure that every child in foster care receives the support and dignity they deserve.
