By Ray Hershe, abc40tv • April 13, 2009, SPRINGFIELD, Mass -- The economy makes it tough on everyone.

Among those hard hit are social service agencies.

And when you rely on those agencies, it makes it even tougher.

For example, the challenges faced by foster care kids are immense. It's difficult enough when there are foster parents to help but when they are not there anymore, the future can be daunting.

So what happens when these young people transition out of foster care usually between the ages of 18 and 21?

Rhonda Young is the assistant program director for the Center for Human Development, "I think it's difficult for these kids, they don't have a family of origin and many of us when we were 18 can go back home if we don't have a job or don't have a place to go, these kids don't have that."

Right now, the Center for Human Development has about 30 young people living in apartments who are aging out of foster care.

James Williams, the program director for children's programs at the Center for Human Development says they're getting the opportunity to live on their own while being prepared for the future, "To establish a job, put away a nest egg, get a chance to make it on their own so when they completely transition out they have that in their back pocket."

There are other social services agencies helping foster care children as well.

At the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange, they're working to find permanent homes for foster care kids, " They are happy- go- lucky, fun, and bring a great deal of joy to the people around them," according to Jaime Caron of the Department of Children and Families.

There are two upcoming events if you're interested in adopting.

On Wednesday, April 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. there will be an informational meeting at the Providence Behavorial Health Hospital .

And then on Saturday, April 25, there will be an adoption party where children can be adopted. The adoption party is being held at the Springfield College East Campus at 701 Wilbraham Road in Springfield. 9 a.m. is for children ten and older, and 11 a.m. for younger children.

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