As if walking over 1,700 miles across the country for homeless youth in 2010 on his Meet Me Halfway campaign wasn’t enough of a stand for Jimmy Wayne to talk for foster kids nationwide, he is now doing even more. Wayne has teamed up with Memphis Representative to pass a critical legislation bill in Tennessee to help many foster children transition into adulthood after they “age out” of the foster care system.

If it passes, the bill Wayne is supporting would eliminate the sunset for the Transitioning Youth Act — a program that provides assistance to foster children between the ages of 18-21 once they age out of the foster care system. It has been cited as a critical initiative that helps individuals bridge the gap from their teenage years to adulthood, in both educational and professional terms.

The program and this particular legislation have been priorities of the singer who always said if he “made it” in Nashville, he would take his fame to do good for those less fortunate, especially foster kids, as he knows much about the challenges they face in life.

“When I was a 16-year-old homeless kid, Bea and Russell Costner, who were in their mid-70s, gave me a home,” Wayne says. “That kind of support and stability allowed me to go back to high school, on to college and also the chance to pursue my dream to be in music. Every child deserves the kind of support that Bea and Russell gave to me. I’m hopeful the great State of Tennessee will continue to provide its foster kids with that support.”

“I have studied this issue over the past few weeks and feel very strongly about making sure this program continues for teenage foster children,” adds Representative Mark White. “Jimmy Wayne is a great example of what happens when young adults are provided a helping hand. Far too often, they are forgotten and left behind. We can do better than that in Tennessee and it’s an honor to be carrying such important legislation.”

Wayne is scheduled to testify in front of the Committee on Children and Family Affairs about HB 2337 at the State Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 8.

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