Living
In her spaces, former foster youth find a place to belong
Published 2001 GMT (0401 HKT) November 29, 2016
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Top 10 CNN Hero for 2016 Georgie Smith started her nonprofit, A Sense of Home, after realizing young people who have aged out of the foster care system often end up living in squalor. She decided to help by lending her interior design skills for free. BRINSON BANKS for CNN
Out of this donated warehouse space in Carson, California, Smith and her team organize gifted household items that will be given to former wards of the state who may not have families to help them establish a home of their own. BRINSON BANKS for CNN
A chef and designer, Smith realized she needed to help more young people when she visited a former foster child who was living in heartbreaking conditions and asked for her assistance. "I went to see him living in his apartment, amongst black garbage bags," Smith said. "It was unacceptable." BRINSON BANKS for CNN
Statistics show that many former foster youth will experience homelessness, poverty or incarceration. BRINSON BANKS for CNN
Smith's team unpacks and organizes housewares and furniture for Stephanie and her daughter Ja'el in their new apartment in Los Angeles. BRINSON BANKS for CNN
The nonprofit has created comfortable living spaces for 130 young people who have aged out of the system. BRINSON BANKS for CNN
Former foster youth are referred to A Sense of Home from agencies throughout the Los Angeles area. BRINSON BANKS for CNN
Most of the program's participants have experienced homelessness and abuse, Smith said. Eighty percent are young women; 30% have their own babies. Many are guardians to their own siblings. BRINSON BANKS for CNN
Recipients of A Sense of Home's services have secured an apartment and are trying to build their future. They're enrolled in college courses and/or working and have a GED or are studying for it. BRINSON BANKS for CNN
Ja'el jumps on a pink bed in her new apartment in Los Angeles. Art is an important component to making a house a home, Smith said. BRINSON BANKS for CNN
"These kids have such resilience and are so inspiring. They are so incredibly positive and hopeful," Smith said. "I just feel it's incumbent on us -- the community -- to be their village." BRINSON BANKS for CNN
