Most young adults leave home slowly. They move out, call home for advice, come back for holidays, and borrow money in an emergency. Many young people leaving foster care have none of that. At eighteen or so, the system stops, and they are on their own. Some end up homeless within months. Many say the hardest part is having no one to call.
On the night before he died, Jesus made a promise to his friends about exactly that fear.
Not orphans
At the last supper, Jesus told his closest friends that he was going away. They were afraid. They did not want to be left alone.
The Gospel of John, one of the four accounts of Jesus's life, records what he told them.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:18 · King James VersionThe original Greek
Οὐκ ἀφήσω ὑμᾶς ὀρφανούς, ἔρχομαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς.
Found in Papyrus 66 (about AD 200), Papyrus 75 (about AD 200), Codex Vaticanus (about AD 325), Codex Sinaiticus (about AD 350).
Where the King James Version says "comfortless," the Greek word is orphanous: orphans. "I will not leave you orphans."
"Comfortless" is the King James Version's word. In the Greek, the word is orphanous: orphans. Jesus was saying, I will not leave you like orphans. I will come back to you.
He knew what it felt like to fear being left alone, and he promised his friends they would not be.
Ways to help
Be a steady adult. The most important thing is someone who answers the phone. Offer to be that person, and mean it.
Help with housing. A room to rent, a co-signer, a deposit, or help searching for a first apartment.
Teach the everyday things. Budgeting, cooking, taxes, renting, car insurance, making a doctor's appointment. Things most of us learned at home.
Help with jobs and school. Resume help, interview practice, introductions, or help with college and financial aid forms.
Invite them for holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas can be the loneliest days of the year for someone with no family table.
Build a team. Ask a few people at church to share the support, so it does not all depend on one person.
Look into mentoring programs. Many cities have groups that match adults with young people leaving foster care.
Be patient. Trust may take time. Many of them have been let down before.
You will not be left alone
Jesus promised his friends they would not be left like orphans. For a young adult leaving foster care, you can be part of how that promise becomes real. A phone number they know will always answer is a good place to start.