reposting of Kristi's post - good for discussion

I thought this was very enlightening and a good thing to discuss - so I brought it up here to the top:

Posted by Kristi on April 22, 2002 at 06:26:30:

In Reply to: Re: How about an "adopt a kid" type of thing. posted by Charlie on April 21, 2002 at 08:33:47:

As far as resources go I think that would be wounderful if we had more resources, because ulltimatly if some one wants help they will look for it, but to tell you the truth a lot of SG's just leaving have no idea how government is set up, or what type of resources to even look for. I know for a fact when I first left I was consumed by the little things like, learning about social security numbers and how to fill out a job aplication, how to drive, how to get into school, my first physical, stuff like that. So if there was a list of some kind with different agencies and their points of contact and their services, such as school benifits or medical benifits ect. I think this would make a huge difference for those leaving. One of the main threats that many of us had leaving was: how the hell are we going to survive out there when we (SG's) know so little about the world outside the Family, and believe me the family used that like an electric fence to keep us feeling like we didn't belong out side of the group. Knowledge is power and when we leave we are thirstier for knowledge than we will ever be in our lives. If we could find that knowledge when we leave then that would bring some comfort to us that we have done the right thing. I know of at least a few second generationer's who have left and then rejioned because they felt they didn't have the skills to be in the system only to fail in the Family again and leave again, then they usually end up in the sex or drug trade.