RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Mia Murphy spoke bravely in front of members of the local Divine Nine, the historically Black fraternities and sororities, about her childhood spent in and out of the foster care system.
“The last time I went into the system, I was 16,” said Murphy. “I voluntarily put myself in foster care because I didn’t have a place to stay.”
She told members of the local chapters of the Divine Nine that some nights she slept outside with no place to go until she was eventually placed in a group home.
“Imagine you’re going in a white van in the middle of nowhere and you’re just trying to figure out what your next step is,” Murphy said. “So I got there with no phone, no contact with my real family.”
Mia graduated from high school, Wake Tech, in May and is now obtaining her bachelor’s in social work from North Carolina Central University.
“Since COVID, we have lost 50% of our network,” said Shelia Alford of the Wake County Department of Social Services Child Welfare Program.
Alford says right now more than 500 children and teens are in foster care in Wake County, but only 72 foster homes are available to take them in. The need for more foster families is urgent.
“Whether it’s helping us host future interest meetings for foster parenting ,or finding other ways to help us distribute literature in the community, or other ways to get involved to help us raise awareness, because we need more foster families,” said Alford.
The goal is to get the Divine Nine to step in and fill the Gap for Foster Youth by mentoring, tutoring, and providing foster care.
“These children just want someone to love them,” said Wake County Manager David Ellis. “Nothing wrong with these kids. We really need to step up for them.”
And that’s why Mia is training to be a social worker — to help so many girls like her.
“I hope they can look at me and know that where you were is not where you stand, and you can always achieve wherever you go,” said Murphy.
Studies also show that one in 10 children age out of foster care alone. The Divine Nine would like to initiate a conversation about being a solution to the program.
