(AllHipHop News) Hip Hop super-producer Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean is using his celebrity to bring awareness to the educational issues in the foster care system.
As part of National Foster Care Awareness Month, Swizz worked with Children’s Rights to create the #FosterMyEducation public service announcement.
“It’s very important to join me and Children’s Rights. These are not someone else’s problems. This is also our responsibility. When we foster their education, we foster their future,” says Swizz in the PSA. “We’re asking you. We need you. Blessings.”
Comedian Monroe Martin and other foster care alumni joined Swizz for the video presentation which means to draw attention to the educational differences children experience as a result of foster care.
Every year, more than 670,000 American children spend time in foster care.
According to Children’s Rights, only around 60% of young people who age out of foster care graduate high school by the age of 19 as compared to nearly 90% of all young people.
Only 4% of foster youth who age out of care graduate from a four-year college by age 26.
“As a society, we are failing thousands of our most vulnerable children,” states Sandy Santana, executive director of Children’s Rights. “When young people in foster care face multiple barriers to accessing their educations, it is unconscionable. The young adults who comprise Fostering the Future know better than anyone else the changes that must be made, and it is they who should lead the nation’s discourse on foster care. We are honored to share their voices.”
Swizz Beatz serves on the Board of Directors for Children’s Rights – a national advocacy group working to reform America’s child welfare systems.