NEW YORK, NY February 27, 2008 —Radio Rookie Shirley “Star” Diaz is on the brink of aging out of the foster care system when she turns 21 this fall. Many young people face huge challenges when they leave the system. And, a disproportionate number of New York City’s 17,000 kids in foster care struggle with homelessness at some point in their adult lives.

Bracing for independence, Shirley looks to herself for support.

Shirley’s story was produced by Melissa Robbins and edited by Marianne McCune. Kaari Pitkin is the senior producer of Radio Rookies.

The song was written and performed by Shirley Diaz and mixed by Terry Radigan.

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