A New York Times bestselling author has been instrumental in shaping conversations around services for children in foster care in Los Angeles.

On Nov. 12 in Brentwood, the educational nonprofit Ready To Succeed (RTS) hosted a launch event for Andrew Bridge’s new book, “The Child Catcher,” a sequel to his best-selling memoir “Hope’s Boy “. The new work chronicles Bridge’s role in the longest mental health trial in American history, helping represent the children of the Eufaula Adolescent Center against the state of Alabama.

Bridge’s credentials in addition to authorship are notable, having spent 11 years in a Los Angeles County foster home before earning a scholarship to Wesleyan University and graduating from law school in Harvard. In addition to his work in Alabama, he turned his attention again to Los Angeles as CEO of the Children’s Rights Alliance, successfully suing Los Angeles County over its practice of barring children from foster care. foster family to see and speak with a social worker.

In his position within the Alliance, he was on the ground floor of conversations regarding RTSa Santa Monica-based professional and personal development program that provides youth impacted by foster care (as well as low-income, first-generation college students) with resources and opportunities to grow professionally and personally.

“(They were) kind enough to ask to sit down with me before we even started and ask, ‘What do you think about this idea?’” Bridge said. “And as soon as I heard it, (I thought) it was a brilliant idea, (because) you have to have positive outcomes for the kids…a kid who normally graduates from college, gets their college degree They still have a family, and they still have a lot of resources and a lot of support (if) they stumble, and a child in foster care doesn’t have that. produces and catches them.

His feedback to the RTS team included ensuring the organization understood “the unique needs of children in foster care”, particularly the demands placed on children who may have mental health issues upon release foster care, as well as focusing on employment opportunities that favor children. otherwise, children would not be able to learn about it.

“If you need a job, you don’t have any work experience, because growing up in the foster care system, very few kids have summer jobs,” Bridge said. “There are reasons why parents tell (their) children that they need a summer job because they will learn a lot during that time. These are things we really take for granted.

Another facet of RTS is the possibility of covering expenses during schooling. One of these major expenses is rent, in which a 2007 California Cities, Counties and School Partnership study stated that 29% of young people welcomed would be unable to pay when exiting the system.

Besides rent, emergency expenses and unexpected bills are other obstacles that kids in the system may not be able to overcome, with Bridge using a simple $150 car expense as an example.

“It’s not really a problem (for youth not in foster care) … we just take care of it,” Bridge said. “For a young adult who has left foster care, it’s a big deal, that money isn’t there, and when you need $150 and you don’t have it, it’s a big problem. These are the kinds of things that Ready To Succeed monitors, protects and provides. So they stand side by side, recognizing the vulnerability of these children and the fact that they need the same support as all other children.

RTS founder Romi Lassally attended the book celebration, saying the organization “felt it was vital to share his journey.”

“Her experience highlights the need to reimagine our approach, where families are supported and empowered rather than divided, and where children, especially those in institutions, are given the resources and understanding needed to truly heal,” Lassally said. “At RTS, we are committed to helping young people overcome trauma and prepare for a future full of possibilities, and Andrew’s story reminds us of the urgency of this work. »

“The Child Catcher” is already a bestseller six weeks after its release, something Bridge calls “pretty cool” that the message of protecting children in foster care from unfair harm is turning into action at the local level. Stating that even though Los Angeles has “done some things pretty well” in improving its foster care system, the county continues to excessively report, investigate and detain children of color, something it needs parents and defenders in the region are attracting attention. .

“As a child passes through foster care at every milestone, a child of color…is likely to do worse than their white peer,” Bridge added. “A black child is less likely to benefit from mental health services than a white child. A black child is less likely to be adopted. A black child is less likely to return home.

For more information on “The Child Catcher,” visitandrewbridgeauthor.com. For more information about Ready to Succeed, visitready to succeed la.org.

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