Mental Health Needs of Foster Youth with Andrew Bridge (October 2024)

At first glance, Andrew presents himself as an ordinary man: clad in a classic blue suit, soft-spoken yet articulate, and perhaps a touch reserved. But first impressions can be deceiving. Beneath his composed exterior, Andrew embodies both a frightened child and a fierce warrior.

In a candid conversation, he shared the harrowing story behind his debut book, Hope’s Child. The narrative chronicles his traumatic experience of being torn from his mother at the age of seven, only to be cast into the foster care system for the next eleven years, including a stint at one of the nation’s most infamous children’s facilities. Not only did Andrew survive these years of abuse and neglect, but he also thrived academically, earning a scholarship to Wesleyan University and later advancing to Harvard Law School. His list of accolades and achievements is long and impressive.

Yet Andrew’s accomplishments extend far beyond his personal success. He has devoted his life to advocating for children living in poverty and those trapped within the foster care system. His second book, The Child Catcher, chronicles his tireless efforts to bring down the notorious Eufala Adolescent Center, the very institution that once imprisoned him.

When we think of the foster care system, we often envision a safety net—a government-sanctioned solution to protect children in poverty, children who cannot be cared for by their biological parents. But Andrew’s stories reveal a disturbing reality: these institutions, rather than nurturing the vulnerable, often exploit them for their own sinister purposes. His accounts of institutional abuse are nothing short of chilling.

Andrew’s work serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of looking beyond the surface of our institutions. It calls us to question, challenge, and hold accountable the systems that are meant to protect, ensuring they fulfill their true purpose rather than perpetrating harm.