Turning 18 is a benchmark in a young person’s life. For young men and women in foster care, it can create a lot of worry and anxiety about what happens next, where will they live, how will they be able to take care of themselves.
Transition to Adulthood
The same was true for Brad. He had just turned 18 when he enrolled in AFFCF’s Keys to Success program and was looking for support as the transitioned from foster care to adulthood. He wanted help getting a job, but he also wanted to create a career path for himself. Through skills assessments and career exploration, Brad decided he wanted to become a police officer. His career development specialist helped him understand the different education paths to reach his goal. He felt going to college would be the best path forward.
He got to work on completing his FAFSA and his career development specialist helped him overcome a few obstacles he encountered during the enrollment process. Brad also received assistance with getting a job.
New Paths Forward
His hard work is paying off! Brad recently received a letter informing him of his selection as a volunteer cadet with the Mesa Police Department, putting him one step closer to his career goal of being a police officer.
Currently, he in his freshman year at Grand Canyon University through the Fostering Futures Scholarship and is well on his way to a bigger, better future!
Obstacles to Success
Without the right supports in place, the odds are stacked against youth who age out of foster care:
- 67% won’t graduate high school
- 50% won’t have gainful employment by age 24
- 40% will be homeless within 18 months of aging out
It doesn’t have to be this way. The Keys to Success program addresses an unmet need in the community to provide youth transitioning from foster care with intensive, individualized career, education and employment development services. The program is designed specifically to address the challenges youth in foster care experience when struggling to make a successful transition to adulthood.
The Keys to Success program addresses an unmet need in the community to provide youth transitioning from foster care with intensive, individualized career, education and employment development services.
Be Part of the Solution
You can be part of the solution simply by making a donation to AFFCF. Doing so not only strengthens our communities, but also gives you a dollar-for-dollar credit on your Arizona state taxes. When you donate by the tax filing deadline, you can apply the Foster Care Tax Credit toward the 2022 tax year. Please be sure to consult your tax professional for more information.