Aging Out, Not Left Out: How Amnoni Myers is Transforming the Future for Foster Youth

At 18 years old, Amnoni Myers stood in front of her foster home, her entire life stuffed into black trash bags. The house she had been told she could stay in was no longer an option. No family was waiting for her, no roadmap for what came next. She had aged out of the foster care system, and like many others, she was suddenly on her own.

For thousands of youths in the foster care system, turning 18 isn’t a celebration—it’s a moment of crisis. Many are forced into homelessness, face instability, and struggle to navigate adulthood without the support others take for granted. Amnoni, however, refused to let the system dictate her future. She turned her struggles into fuel for change, dedicating her life to improving the foster care system and advocating for those coming after her.

Today, she is the founder of Launch Ahead, a tech-driven platform designed to help foster youth transition into adulthood with the resources and guidance they deserve. But beyond policy and technology, Amnoni’s mission is about something more profound: reminding foster youth that they are valuable, no matter their circumstances.

The Harsh Reality of Aging Out

Amnoni knows firsthand the challenges foster youth face, especially in education. While in college, she experienced homelessness during school breaks because, unlike other students, she had no home to return to.

“People don’t realize that when campuses close, foster youth have nowhere to go,” she explains.

But that’s just one gap in a system filled with them. Youth in foster care often attend multiple schools, struggle with academic instability and lack consistent emotional support. Many fall through the cracks, and by the time they age out, they are left to figure out housing, employment and financial stability with little to no guidance.

“My sister’s story is a reminder of how urgent this issue is,” Amnoni says. “She aged out of the system, struggled to find stability and ultimately fell into human trafficking. The system didn’t protect her, and I refuse to let that happen to other young people.”

From Survivor to Advocate

Amnoni’s advocacy work began in college when she was selected to participate in the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. She was placed in Senator Chuck Grassley’s office, a key figure in child welfare policy. Initially hesitant due to their political differences, she quickly realized that the opportunity was bigger than politics—it was about using her lived experience to create change.

She wrote a policy report on the need for trauma-informed care in foster parenting, recognizing that many foster parents aren’t equipped to support children who have endured deep emotional wounds. That report was presented to Congress and the White House, pushing forward the conversation on what real reform should look like.

But Amnoni knew policy wasn’t enough. She wanted to build something that gave foster youth real, tangible tools to take control of their futures. That’s where Launch Ahead was born—a digital platform that helps youth set and track goals, from obtaining an ID to finding stable housing and pursuing career paths.

“Youth in foster care are supposed to have a transition plan starting at 14, but in reality, that often doesn’t happen until just months before they age out,” she says. “You can’t build a future in three months.”

Foster Care Through a Child’s Eyes: How Schools and Parents Can Help

While much of the focus on foster care reform is on policy, everyday people—including parents and educators—play a crucial role in making foster youth feel seen and supported.

How can we help grade school students understand and support their peers in foster care?

• Normalize Different Family Structures: Foster children may move frequently, live with relatives or be in group homes. Helping kids understand that families look different fosters empathy and inclusion.
• Books & Stories Matter: Introducing books like Maybe Days by Jennifer Wilgocki helps young readers understand foster care in an age-appropriate way.
• Encourage Kindness at School: Foster kids often change schools multiple times. Teaching children to be welcoming and inclusive—whether it’s inviting a new classmate to lunch or simply being a friend—can make all the difference.
• Rethink Assignments: Instead of traditional family tree projects, allow students to create “Circles of Support,” showcasing the people who care about them.
• Model Support and Advocacy: Teach kids that helping others isn’t just about grand gestures—it’s about small, consistent acts of kindness.

What Needs to Change in Schools?

Amnoni believes the education system can do more to support students in foster care. She suggests:

• Trauma-Informed Training for Educators: Teachers need to understand how trauma impacts learning and behavior so they can provide support instead of punishment.
• A Dedicated Support System for Foster Youth: A mentor or counselor should be assigned to foster students to help them adjust and build relationships.
• Flexibility with Academic Requirements: Many foster youth fall behind due to multiple school moves. Schools should offer tutoring, flexible deadlines and alternative credit recovery.
• Stronger Collaboration Between Schools and Child Welfare Agencies: Foster youth interact with multiple systems, including education, child welfare and sometimes juvenile justice. These entities need to work together to ensure students don’t fall through the cracks.

How You Can Make a Difference

Supporting foster youth isn’t just about government policy but community action. If you want to help, here’s where to start:

• Become a Mentor: Programs like Fostering Connections and Big Brothers Big Sisters provide foster youth with stable adult relationships.
• Volunteer with Local Organizations: Groups like Youth Services of Tulsa and Family & Children’s Services provide critical support for foster youth aging out of care.
• Advocate for Better Policies: Attend school board meetings, support trauma-informed training for teachers and push for extended foster care programs.
• Provide Practical Support: Many young adults aging out of care struggle with housing, transportation and job opportunities. Offering a spare room, donating essentials or hiring a foster youth can change a life.

The Bottom Line: Every Child Deserves a Future

At the end of the day, supporting foster youth is about showing up, being consistent and ensuring they know they are not alone.

“My sister used to tell me, ‘You are the prize.’ That’s the message I want every foster youth to hear,” Amnoni says. “No matter what they’ve been through, they are whole, they are valuable and they are worthy of success.”

With the right support, foster youth don’t just survive—they thrive. And that’s a future we all should work toward.

Dr. Tamecca Rogers serves as Director of Student Access and Success at Tulsa Technology Center. An award-winning author and filmmaker, she is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in all her endeavors. Photo by Denice Toombs-Dotson with Lasting Impressions Photography.