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Willis & Cedric the Entertainer

Actors

We need to bring the foster care program into the 21st century.

Bruce Willis

The more you fail the youth, the more that we find ourselves in a detrimental situation as a society.

Cedric the Entertainer

Willis & Cedric

Q. What's wrong with the foster care system?

Bruce: We need to bring the foster care program into the 21st century. The files are still handwritten. The states don't talk to each other. It's not computerized. And every month, kids age out of the system, and--unless they have help or direction--end up in another system where they don't get any help at all.


Q: Why do you spend a great deal of your time working with kids?

Cedric: Well, I just see it as an opportunity to have a voice. You have a voice in the mike and cameras, and you have to kind of put the spotlight on the issue. I think that it becomes really cliched to say that, "I believe children are the future," and people sing it in the song.


Q. How do we fix the foster care system?

Bruce: The states need to talk to each other. This whole program needs to be put on a computer. It's happening slowly. But it's a ticking clock. Every month, 18-year-old kids age out of the system; and if they don't get help, then they're gonna go into the other bad system: jail.


In '02, actor Bruce Willis was appointed by President Bush as the national spokesperson for foster care. He and actor-comedian Cedric the Entertainer teamed up for a fund-raising theatrical event called Ephraim's Song. Both are involved with improving the health and well-being of children in foster care.

Recommended Web Sites

The foster care area on Bruce Willis' official site offers information on the current state of the system, including a newsflash section.

FosterClub's mission is to provide encouragement, motivation, information, education and benefits for foster youth.

Photo essay about three young people in their first year out of foster care.

 
KCET The California Endowment

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Published: September 15, 2005


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