YouTube Kids + CSS Foster Care Playlist — Vol. 2

Stories of Strength,

Not Struggle

"I don't want to be seen as a victim — I want to be seen as a warrior."

— A young person featured in the playlist

Watch the Playlist ↗

43M+

Views on Playlist Vol. 1

25,000

Youth age out of care each year

70%

of foster youth aspire to attend college

About the Playlist

Every year, approximately 25,000 young people age out of foster care and most of the media they consume portrays them as damaged, dangerous, or doomed to fail. This playlist is here to change that.

Building on the success of our first playlist which reached over 43 million views, this second edition features authentic, strengths-based stories from young people impacted by the foster care system. Research shows that these kinds of portrayals build empathy, reduce stigma, and support the public attitudes that make better policy possible.

Why it matters

Media shapes how we see each other — and how young people see themselves.

When foster youth see themselves portrayed as resilient, capable, and full of possibility, it changes what they believe is possible for their own lives. And when the public sees them the same way, it changes what kind of support systems society is willing to build.

Playlist Introduced By

NBA, Washington Wizards

NFL, New York Giants

Content From

Shows & Programs Your Kids Love

The playlist is woven together with interstitial content from beloved shows and programs that make these conversations feel natural, warm, and age-appropriate.

And More!

Watch the Playlist ↗

Learn more about the work we do around Systems-facing and Opportunity Youth with our

Narrative Change & Social Impact Initiative

The Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS) at UCLA has launched an initiative to support both storytellers and systems-facing and opportunity youth. NCSI connects leading advocacy organizations representing child welfare, incarcerated, and opportunity youth to high-visibility media projects, ensuring authentic and empowering portrayals of this vulnerable and often forgotten population. 

Foster Care Toolkit
Transition Age Foster Care Toolkit
Parents at home talking points from 1st playlist
Extended Foster Care Talking Points for Parents

Support for this playlist, and featured speakers come from