Young adults who grow up in orphanages face a path to adulthood that can be described as shorter, steeper, and more hazardous compared with the extended transitions that most young people experience as they become independent. Many of us have the opportunity to live with our parents while we finish our education, complete our schooling, and find our first job. Some individuals stay at home until they are married, and other post marriage. Young people who grow up in orphanages don’t have this opportunity to lean on their family as they grow in independence. Research has shown that these young people are at risk for: Homelessness, crime, physical Illness, mental Illness, early mortality, su***de, low Educational Attainment, teenage pregnancy, self-harm, emotional and Behavioral Problems, social marginalization or exclusion, unemployment, material disadvantage, and substance abuse.. Research has uncovered that a trusting and warm relationship with one significant adult can mitigate these risks and promote a young person’s resilience. When we asked orphan graduates in Mumbai what they needed to thrive one of them echoed this research and expressed, “What I need most is a person who will listen to my problems, be a support, be a backbone, and who can give good advice.” As we continued to interview graduates we again and again heard “I need good guidance” “I need the help of someone who I can trust”. At Pathways, we come alongside of young adults transitioning out of orphanages and guide them towards bright futures. Our case managers travel to orphanages and teach the young people skills of independence, and provide career guidance sessions. The young people are also met with individually to assess their needs, and help them plan out a map for their future. The case managers take time during the sessions to build trusting and warm relationships with the young person. As the young adult prepares to leave we then provide a comprehensive, individualized package of leaving care support. It is our goal to promote the strengths of the young people and address their spiritual, social, emotional, physical, and educational needs. Our program has been inspired by young people we know who have grown up in orphanages and walked the pathway to independence. The obstacles they encountered, and the struggles they faced encouraged us to help others like them. Today these grown up orphanage graduates guide the development of our program and mentor other young people as they walk towards their futures.
