Program helps kids aged out of foster care

Saturday Night Lights will shine bright for Phased In.

In support of the Phased In project, an effort to help young adults who have “phased out” of foster care, a fundraising dinner is set for 6 p.m Saturday at the Wellington Banquet and Conference Center.

Musician and songwriter Kyle Hutton will share the story of his foster care journey. Featured speaker for the event will be Dale Hansen, sports anchor for WFAA in Dallas. 

Phased In is a transitional living program for 18-year-olds “aging out” of the foster care system. The project is a collaboration of churches, the community and the state of Texas so that demographic can learn basic living skills, prepare to be self-sufficient and have stable lives.

“These young people are moving onto the next phase of their lives, something that’s important to me,” Hutton said. “I’m really a byproduct of the foster care system, which took care of me during the first six weeks of my life. Phased In will provide opportunities for kids who weren’t blessed to be dealt the same hand I was.”

As part of Saturday Night Lights, Hutton will perform songs he and Radney Foster have written and recorded for a soon-to-be-released CD about the foster care experience.

“One hundred percent of the proceeds from the CD will go to foster and adoption awareness and aid,” Hutton said. “We hope it will encourage more good people to rise up and get actively involved.”

Texas Rep. James Frank is on the Phased In board of directors. He said the program lets young people leaving foster care know “they aren’t alone.”

“Ideally, foster kids get adopted, but that doesn’t always happen. No one is able or willing to help. Someone has to help them transition to parents with a good situation, where they can get adult guidance and have success,” Frank said. “The event isn’t just about raising money but trying to find people who are ready to step in and get involved.”

The 18-month Phased In program is sponsored by North Texas Dream Center, an affiliate of Evangel Temple. Housing is provided for young adults after leaving foster placement by caring families who support their education, either through state-sponsored scholarship or trade school, and see that medical services are available.

“Phased In gives these kids who have been traumatized throughout their childhood by abuse, neglect and sometimes even the system a chance to overcome it,” said Keri Goins, development officer for Presbyterian Children’s Home and Services and organizer for Saturday Night Nights. “This is a ground-breaking program with one campus so far and another in progress.”

Tickets for Saturday Night Lights are $75 and available online at https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/PhasedIN/SNL.html. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information about the fundraiser or Phased In contact Lolita Baker at 940-691-1400 or email lbaker@phasedin.org.