The world of foster children is little understood. Young people shuttle from family to family and home to home — sometimes with stops in the juvenile justice system or in the care of the county.

Once foster children turn 18, they are out of the system and on their own. As difficult as that can be, there are success stories among those who’ve emerged from foster care.

Mitch Findley entered Napa’s foster care system during his freshman year in high school, when his father developed substance abuse problems. During his teens, he spent time in two kinship care homes — living with relatives — and he became part of a foster care family during his senior year in high school.

“There were good times and bad times. It’s hard to adjust from living with family to complete strangers,” he said.

Last year, Findley left the foster care system. When he reached his 18th birthday, his foster parents no longer received state funds for his care; they invited him to stay if he would pitch in by paying rent. After turning 18, he elected to move in with his father. Findley, 19, now lives on his own.

Findley is not in touch with his mother, an Oregon resident, but he said he has a good relationship with his father and visits him several times each week.

While Findley spent time in several homes, he said, he knows young people who have been in up to 30 different foster homes, changing schools and families constantly.

Findley, a student at Napa Valley College, is the assistant director at VOICES — Voice Our Independent Choices for Emancipation Support — a local organization created to find housing, employment and educational opportunities for foster children, emancipated foster youth and young people living in group homes. A subgroup of VOICES awards annual scholarships in the amounts of $1,000 to $4,000. The organization also provides an array of other services, including connecting members with transportation, child care, coaching and more. VOICES primarily serves young people from ages 16 to 24.

Although Findley spent time in the foster care system, qualifying him to work as an advocate for foster youth, he said he isn’t the voice for all foster children — who have personalities as individual as their situations. There are approximately 96 foster children and teens in Napa County, and Findley said VOICES was formed two years ago to connect the youths with more local resources.

“Before VOICES, I had never met another youth in foster care. That’s why I wanted to do this project,” he said.

Findley said he is glad to be in a position to help other foster youth, and enjoys assisting those who have been through challenges similar to those he faced in the past.

As assistant director, Findley serves as a public speaker for VOICES, giving speeches around the country to young people, service providers, administrators and funders. He has spoken to audiences in Los Angeles, Portland, New York and other locations; his next stop is Chicago.

Findley was the first full-time youth staff member hired at VOICES, which is run by young adults. The organization has helped more than 170 youth members since its inception in 2005, Findley said.

“Foster youth are like any other youth. ... I’m a youth first. ‘Foster youth’ shouldn’t be a label — we eat the same food, go to the same parties and play the same sports (as others). So many can succeed if given a chance to represent themselves and do something they care about. ... I don’t want to be pitied. Pity doesn’t help. I’d rather have encouragement and support,” he said.

To volunteer time or send monetary donations to VOICES, visit the office at 1830 Soscol Ave., suite B, or call 251-9432. Local businesses can create employment opportunities for foster youth by contacting Ian Stanley, VOICES employment and education coordinator, at ian.voices@gmail.com.