Capstones
Graduation Date
Fall 12-19-2025
Grading Professor
Andrew Calderon
Subject Concentration
Engagement Journalism
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Abstract
For my practicum, I examined what “independence” looks like for young people aging out of foster care and how the transition to adulthood is shaped by housing instability, rising living costs, and uneven access to support. Using an engagement journalism approach, I centered lived experience and community-informed reporting to document the challenges young people face as systems shift responsibilities onto them often quickly and with limited safety nets.
This practicum pairs narrative reporting with a practical, service-oriented resource component designed to be useful beyond the classroom. The project draws on interviews, field reporting, and collaboration with people closest to the issue to surface both the structural barriers and the solutions young people and advocates say are needed. Ultimately, the goal is to increase public understanding, elevate the expertise of those directly impacted, and provide accessible information that can help young people navigate the transition with more clarity and support.
Recommended Citation
Baptiste, Lucila M., "The Glow up Guide: Chicago Edition : Housing + Stability After Foster Care" (2025). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gj_etds/859
