The Key Program, Inc的动态

We often post statistics about young adults who age out of foster care, but today we wanted to share a personal story from a young adult in our program. “I’m a fellow foster child who has dealt with the system my whole life but one of the hardest parts was definitely after I aged out, growing up with no one to teach me the things I would need to know when I’m set free in the world, I can’t change a tire, I had no idea how hard it would be to set up my bank account, or even figure out how I can get my social because it was lost somewhere between moving around while younger.” This story is definitely not unique, and it’s a window into the challenges former foster youth face. Having a community that helps them fill in these gaps, “catch up” on the things they missed, is a key part of their success as adults, and it’s why we’re working on growing our life skills/culinary program. Want to help us meet this need? Consider a sponsorship or donation to the Bates Mission Carnival and Car Show, our biggest fundraiser for 2024. Former foster youth need the community’s help, and your support helps Bates Mission provide it. ?? https://lnkd.in/gX-MHQT4 #BatesMission #SupportingFormerFosterYouth #Nonprofit #Leander #Austin #RoundRock #CedarPark #Texas #CentralTexas #FosterCare #FosterYouth

A FRIENDLY REQUEST: To my social media friends, community leaders and generous donors: As a board advisor for the Houston Vital Signs Inc. (HVSI) a non-profit 501c3 organization, I am requesting your donation gift to raise $20,000 + to provide a haven for homeless children and young adults who have faced trauma, abuse, neglect, and family separation. HVSI MISSION: Houston Vital Signs Inc* {HVSI), serves underserved communities throughout Greater Houston Texas. HVSI’s mission is to revitalize, repair, and restore underprivileged communities to a place of wholeness. ?HVSI provides a wide range of programs caters to the social, physical, emotional, clinical, vocational, and self-help needs of young people and adults who are facing challenges --such as poverty, unstable housing, substance abuse, mental health issues, and general health problems. WHY: In the United States alone, there are approximately 391,000 children and youths in foster care: 1) 23,000 of them age out of the system every year without finding permanent placement, 2) An alarming 20%, that is 1 in 5, of these individuals end up homeless instantly after leaving foster care, and 3) Less than 3 earn a college degree in their lifetime. The situation is particularly troublesome in Texas where there has been an increase of 1,100 children without permanent placement from 2019 to 2021. TAX DONATION LETTER: ?Houston Vital Signs, Inc. a 501c3 organization will provide a tax deduction letter confirming receipt of your gift in the amount of $[00.00] to further our mission to address homelessness. HVSI DONATION WEBSITE:?www.HVSI.org ?????Click on DONATE NOW, select dollar amounts, and request a donation letter for tax purposes.

Normalcy. Some of us take it for granted.? ? Normalcy. Some of us never think about it.? ? Normalcy, simply put, is the usual, typical, or expected.? ? For a child who has only experienced the unusual (like being pulled from their home), atypical (like not having at least one consistent, healthy support person), and unexpected (like moving on average seven times in two years) - normalcy can be life-changing.? ? Our programs promote increased normalcy, because we have found that it plays an integral role in promoting success for children and youth in foster care, and their identity formation.? ? Children and youth in our Love Box and Dare to Dream programs exhibit improved confidence, behavior, and relationships with others as a result of the support received and relationships established. ? ? Learn more about how you join our programs and help establish normalcy in the foster care community today: https://lnkd.in/gRjBBwSx ? #Normalcy #Impact #foster #fostercare #fostercarecommunity #community #volunteer #mentor #lovebox #daretodream #olympicangels #nationalangels #olympicpeninsula #nonprofit #fostercarenonprofit #donate #changethestats ?

Roots & Wings is an incredible non-profit organization dedicated to supporting youth aging out of foster care. The statistics speak for themselves: - More than 1 in 5 will become homeless within 18 months of emancipating. - Almost 50% of inmates in our prison systems have spent time in the foster care system. - Only half of aged-out foster youth obtain their GED or High School diploma by age 19. - Just 6% go on to earn a 2- or 4-year degree. In 2023, Roots & Wings members defied the odds: - 100% have a High School diploma. - 94% were employed. - 88% maintained a savings account. - 81% attended an educational, vocational, or certificate program. Join us at the Gala on October 17th, a crucial event that supports Roots & Wings in their mission. Your participation or donation can make a real difference. Learn more and contribute here: https://lnkd.in/enHAkd9U #RootsAndWings #YouthEmpowerment #SupportingFosterYouth #MakeADifference

?? Relationships are essential.?? Tangible things - backpacks, shoes, Christmas presents - those are important, but relationships for kids and caregivers in the foster care community are essential. ?? A well-supported foster home means they don't get overwhelmed as easily and that their home stays open longer. If caregivers keep their homes open to kids in need, kids on the Olympic Peninsula stay IN THEIR COMMUNITY. Relationships mean kids in care feel seen, important, and loved. They learn to trust and regulate themselves. Relationships - volunteers who give their time, heart, and connections to the foster care community - are how we change the way foster care is experienced. Can you give your time to make life better for the foster care community and change outcomes for generations to come? If you don't have capacity, can you donate? Get involved today - anyone can make life better for a child in care: olympicangels.org #foster #fostercare #relationships #trama #TBRI #traumainformed #volunteer #mentor #lovebox #daretodream #relationalpermanency #relationalpermanence #stability #consistency #donate #nonprofit #community #fostercarecommunity #fostercarenonprofit #olympicangels #nationalangels #olympicpeninsula #selfregulation #regulation #coregulation #trust

??Help us get kickstarted! ALL OF FEBRUARY we’re trying to raise AT LEAST 20k to get kick started. You can give there! Big or small, every dollar counts! Here’s what we’re trying to get started with… >> Getting resources to our young adults who have aged out. Food, hygiene products, basic household needs, furniture, gas cards etc… >> Resources to foster families as needed. >> The Crown Project… access hair care/ braids/protective styles for the black community in foster care and young adults who have aged out (52% of our kids in foster care in our kick off county are African American, more needs to be done for people of color who have specific needs). Also providing things like bonnets for kids in foster care. >> Assistance with senior year things that are not covered by DCS... Like being able to get hair, nails and make up done for prom. >> Provide new shoes and clothes as needed. These are just a few things that we’re aiming to get kickstarted this year! Our ultimate goal is to have a building that’s serving as a place of help and community for kids, and young adults who are or have experienced the foster system, and the families and case workers who support them. Then we want to see this happen countrywide. We’ve got big dreams!!!! We can’t wait to see them happen!!! These look like big goals for just us. But we know that as a community, if we all jump in, we can make this happen EASILY! ???????????? https://lnkd.in/ePNy6zAK #nonprofit #nashvillenonprofit #charity #nashvillecharity #fostercare #nashvillefostercare

Imagine being a kid, uprooted from your home. You pack your meager belongings – clothes, a cherished toy, maybe a photo – in a trash bag. That's all you have, all that signifies your existence. Now, imagine dragging that in a trash bag, a symbol of impermanence and disposability, to a new, unfamiliar place. That was my reality as a foster youth. Trash bags became my suitcases, filled with the weight of uncertainty and loss. Packing them was a constant reminder of my lack of control, a constant chipping away at my already fragile sense of self. The worst part? Sometimes, when I wasn't allowed back to a placement, those precious belongings vanished. This is why funding for proper suitcases and duffle bags for foster youth is crucial. It's not just about practicality; it's about dignity. A sturdy bag sends a message: "You matter. Your things matter." It allows foster youth to carry themselves with a bit more pride, a bit less shame. Imagine the difference: a young girl with a bright pink duffel bag, a teenager with a sleek backpack. These simple items offer a sense of ownership, a small piece of normalcy in a chaotic world. They say, "You have a future, and you get to carry it with you." Please consider donating to Day 1 Bags and allow them to provide these essential items for foster youth. Let's replace the trash bags with hope, one duffel bag at a time. #FosterCare #Dignity #Hope

It's difficult to fully grasp. One in five. 20% of the state prison population has experienced foster care and about 70% of youth who exit foster care as legal adults will be arrested at least once by age 26. We’ve been talking about the statistics all month, and the cycles they create. From educational barriers, disproportionate suspensions and expulsions, multiple placements, no relational permanency or place to call home…it all contributes to this alarming reality. These numbers are unacceptable, but we firmly believe they can be prevented. People have the power to take action to prevent and avoid these cyclical outcomes. Prevention is about taking proactive steps – and that's precisely what our programs facilitate. They intentionally connect people to one another. They create spaces where people can build connection, trust, and community. They equip young people with the tools and resources they need to navigate life’s challenges. Our programs nurture their immense potential through one-to-one mentorship and unwavering belief – and it can change the trajectory of their lives. What's needed is people like you willing to stand in the gap. That’s what it takes. You can take part in this work in a life-changing way. YOU can stand in the gap! When individuals come together to invest $10/month, $25/month, $50/month – powerful and sustainable change becomes possible. Together, we can make generational change a reality. The power of people. The power of YOU. Will you join us today? Say yes by clicking: https://lnkd.in/gSvuKvmj #BreakingTheCycle #EmpoweredBySupport #DareToDream #FosterCare #Foster #HomelessnessAwareness #FosterCareAwareness #EducationForAll #NFCM #Education #changethestats #OlympicAngels #NationalAngels #OlympicPeninsula #volunteer #lovebox #mentor #community #fostercarecommunity #nonprofit #donate #fostercarenonprofit *Statistical sources can be found at https://lnkd.in/gDWtFTaH

Have you ever seen the ripples created by a single stone skipping across water? Just like those ripples, one small act of kindness can create a lasting impact. ???? Donating a new bag to a child or youth in foster care is more than just a gift; it’s a powerful gesture that can uplift and inspire our entire community. ??? ?? Here’s how a new bag can make a difference: 1?? Restores Dignity: No child should have to carry their belongings in a trash bag. A new bag provides a sense of worth and belonging. 2?? Builds Confidence: Personal possessions help foster children develop self-esteem and identity. 3?? Encourages Education: A new backpack can boost excitement for school and support academic success. 4?? Strengthens Community: Acts of kindness foster generosity and compassion, creating a nurturing environment for all. By donating, you're not just giving a bag; you're giving hope, dignity, and a brighter future to children in need. Let’s come together to support our youngest and most vulnerable. ?? Join us in making a ripple of change. Help us?#EndTheTrashBag?and show foster children they are valued and supported. Together, we can create a community where everyone thrives. ???? Read more about how you can make a difference on our website: https://bit.ly/3VEQYvA

“Good morning, it’s me…you up?” she says softly over the phone. It’s 6:30am, and this is their daily routine. The Love Box volunteer calls this 13-year-old in the dark wee hours every morning to get her off to school. They sit in silence together a minute longer. “I’m up,” the teen says. “Great - go brush your teeth. Have a good day, hon,” the volunteer says before they hang up. This girl has been in and out of care for most of her life, now with a relative who was not prepared to raise a child. She has safety, and a bed to sleep in, but not a lot of any other built-in support. Her granddad is doing the best he can, but the Love Box group of volunteers that have rallied around them have been crucial. Life changing. The majority of kids in foster care on the Olympic Peninsula are not with licensed caregivers. They're with grandparents or aunts and uncles who were not expecting to be parents - let alone to a child who has experienced profound neglect and abuse. Saying yes to this role is hard. It's beautiful and necessary, but so hard. And this is why Olympic Angels exists. When we start looking after our neighbors child like we would for our own, that’s when real change can happen. That’s when they are not overlooked. We help get them to school, we notice if they struggle reading, we navigate getting them to the doctor. Caregivers step in when a family falls, and sometimes they need extra support. That's where you come in. Join a community-supported foster care movement today: https://lnkd.in/gSvuKvmj #donate #nonprofit #fostercare #fostercarenonprofit #volunteer #mentor #community #fostercarecommunity #lovebox #daretodream #olympicangels #nationalangels #olympicpeninsula #communitysupport #communitysupportedfostercare