Crystal Thompson, Features Editor 

In 2008, Natalie Paul faced the same challenges most high school seniors do, but there was one difference: she was doing it alone. When she turned 18, all the difficulties of being independent, moving away to college, and maintaining a social life were compounded by the fact that she would soon age out of foster care. This meant she would have no money, no stable housing, and no family to support her on her journey into adulthood. 

However, Paul was determined to not be one of the former foster care children the system failed and ignored. Instead, she involved herself in the same programs she was once a member of and started building options for her future. The hardships were just beginning. “My social worker told me I didn’t qualify for the Youth Establishing Self-Sufficiency (YESS) program, which was devastating,” Paul said. 

She didn’t give up. Because she was a youth advisory board member for RI Council of Resource Providers (RICORP) and the RI Foster Parents Association (RIFPA), now Foster Forward, the director of YESS agreed to work with her social worker and accept her into the program. There, she started building the network of support she needed to fuel her desire to replicate that process for other students who aged out. 

When Paul started compiling research for the McNair Thesis and Disciplinary Honors Thesis projects, she noticed something that needed to be addressed. “During outreach efforts, I was connecting with students who had aged out of the foster care system and found that many were still facing the same challenges I encountered when I aged out in 2008 — struggling with housing, education, and employment, without a support system or a safety net,” Paul said. “I realized there was a significant gap in support for students and young adults who age out of foster care. This sparked a desire in me to create something impactful that directly contributed to the well-being of these students.” 

What started as an outreach initiative to connect students with agencies grew into something larger. The concept of an outreach day took shape, but to reserve space on campus, Paul had to form a student organization — and that’s how Foster Forward was born. The organization was officially approved and established in June 2024 with a mission to provide resources, guidance, and a community of support for foster care alumni who are pursuing education and transitioning into adulthood. 

For Paul, it’s personal and necessary. “Aging out of the foster care system was one of the hardest experiences I’ve ever faced,” she said. “I know firsthand how difficult it is to transition into adulthood without a support system, without a safety net. That experience ignited a fire in me to create something meaningful — something that would offer the same help I needed and was fortunate to receive through YESS. Foster Forward is my way of ensuring that no one else must go through that transition alone.” 

Also, for Paul, this journey has brought her a new, different support system. Foster Forward launched an Alumni Networking series within the African American and African Diaspora Studies (AADS) Department in the Spring of 2024. It aimed to foster community among alumni and current AADS students, which aligned perfectly with Paul’s vision for Foster Forward. As the Mellon Multivocal Outreach Coordinator intern for AADS, she was in the ideal position to make this happen. 

“It felt like serendipity,” Paul said. “This was a unique opportunity to harness the energy and resources of the student body to create a meaningful impact. My goal has always been to build a space where foster care alumni can find the support they need, while also engaging students in service that reaches beyond the classroom.”  

So both UNCG and Greensboro at large have become crucial sites for Paul’s work. Over the summer, she reached out to several agencies to introduce herself, Foster Forward, and her Disciplinary Honors Thesis project, Outreach Day May 2025. Paul said, “I am in the process of collaborating with local organizations and agencies that support at-risk youth, foster youth, and foster care alumni.” 

Currently, Foster Forward has eight members. Their current focus is building membership and connecting with other foster care alumni across campus. “I’m hopeful that as more students and community members become aware of our work, our membership will grow. Summer Ranson, who serves as our vice president, and I are boots on the ground with recruitment efforts and building our social media presence,” Paul said. People can help by partnering or volunteering with organizations like Foster Forward, becoming a mentor, or donating to programs that provide resources like housing or scholarships. “Life doesn’t stop after you age out!” 

If you are interested in joining, visit Foster Forward’s Spartan Connect page. Meetings are held every other Friday in Curry 342 from 3-5pm. Upcoming meetings: September 20, October 4, October 18, November 1, November 13, and December 13.