Cut loose at 18 and struggling into adulthood

When kevin “Prince” Works, 19, runs low on food or money, he doesn’t have much family to call for help.

His father has been absent most of his life. When his mother died of breast cancer, Works was just 6. she left behind him, his older brother, and his five half siblings. his half sister, then around 25, took care of Works, his brother, and her own two children. sometimes Works would spend weekends staying with a half brother who is 11 years older. Works recalls a childhood spent moving around a lot — dorchester, roxbury, and mattapan, with stretches in other neighborhoods. he also spent time in residential treatment programs for anger issues and schizophrenia. he describes his childhood as “crazy.”

Works and his half sister would argue. after a fight with her when he was 16, the department of children and Families (DCF) got involved, and Works was placed with a foster family. “i definitely grew up fast,” Works says.

in 2023, Works turned 18 and voluntarily signed himself back into DCF care. Youths are able to do this until they are 22, and doing so for Works meant that he could continue to get assistance with things like finding housing and affording school. that’s when he was referred to HopeWell, a nonprofit that serves youths who are in or aging out of foster care. the organization helped Works find an apartment in brighton, but, Works says, he had a tough time living on his own. he quit a job at a bakery over a wage dispute. he worked for a few weeks at a holiday market but spent most of the winter unemployed, struggling with anxiety and depression.

“it’s really messed with my head,” Works says. “i felt really stuck.”

‘FOR US TO THINK THEY CAN DO IT BY THEMSELVES IS BEYOND ME. THAT’S WHAT’S WRONG WITH OUR SYSTEM.’

ELISABETH JACKSON, CEO, Bridge Over Troubled Waters