Fostering

  Independence

A Collaboration of the

West Indianapolis Neighborhood Assisting Youth Aging Out of Foster Care

Fostering Independence

Each year approximately 95 young adults in Marion County are emancipated and leave foster care. Without the benefit of a supporting family, they face a multitude of challenges at a critical juncture in their lives --the transition from childhood to adulthood. National studies report that over 40% of all foster youth end up homeless, indicating that a substantial portion of homeless Indianapolis youth were formerly in foster care. Without supportive services and affordable housing, they are vulnerable to homelessness, unemployment, poverty, substance abuse and violence

The Program

The Fostering Independence program combines transitional housing and supportive services to help meet the needs of former foster youth up to the age of 25. Participants will have access to the following supportive services which will address their needs in the following areas:

·         Education & Employment

·         Financial Development

·         Physical and Mental Health

·         Personal and Community Engagement

·         Housing

The young adults involved in the Fostering Independence program do so voluntarily and are expected to actively participate in all program components.

Residents are required to hold, at-minimum, a part-time job to support their daily needs.

Education and Employment

With the support of an Educational/Vocational Coordinator, residents work to create their educational, vocational and employment plans while identifying resources that will help them achieve their career goals. Fostering Independence residents participate in on-going, comprehensive life skills programming appropriate to their individual needs

Financial Development

"Having money" is one of the biggest obstacles faced by those aging out of the foster care system and most face financial independence without having received even basic financial skills training.  Participants in the Fostering Independence Program attend workshops that address the related issues of financial literacy: budgeting, how to pay bills and taxes, establishing good credit, how to plan for major expenses and how to save and invest.  In order to build toward their future financial security, each participant is able to participate in an Individual Development Account, helping them save for the future.

Physical and Mental Health

Youth in foster care, like other "high risk" groups of young people are more likely to experience serious

health and mental health problems. This can be linked directly to the instability of their living environments and the financial barrier created by the lack of health insurance. Assistance will be given to help participant navigate the health care system

Personal and Community Engagement

Those aging out of foster care need to develop the knowledge and skills that are required to be effectively engaged in community life. Fostering Independence is a community-wide effort, engaging the participation of churches, civic groups, and businesses in supporting the program through services, mentoring and local activities that connect youth to the neighborhood.  It is our hope that even after they leave the program, participants will continue to call West Indianapolis "Home".

Housing

Fostering Independence residents live in one of eight three-story units in a shared, roommate style environment Homes are located in the 1800 block of West Morris Street. Participants pay an affordable fee for housing cost that will include all basic utilities, appliances and a furnished common area.

An important element for developing independent living skills, housing is provided throughout the program with a focus on creation of an aftercare housing plan