THE NET
@SCHOLAR HOUSE 3
“Most people don’t expect much from teenagers fresh out of foster care – we aren’t most people.”
Robin McAllister, Founder & Executive Director
The former foster youth we meet are more resourceful, resilient and fiercely independent than most. What they are often lacking though, is the feeling of self worth, support to deal with the past trauma and some of the skills needed to become a productive, successful adult. Our Net Program addresses these three issues and more.
We see a time where turning 18 in foster care won’t be scary and are working to make it something to celebrate– an end to uncertainty and a beginning of possibilities.
DID YOU KNOW?
The odds are dramatically stacked against a former foster youth.
of young women who were formerly in foster care are pregnant by age 21
71%
25%
of teens who age out of foster care experience homelessness.
3%
of kids who age out of Foster care graduate from college.
WHAT THE NET PROVIDES
The Net program supports young adults transitioning from foster care through a financial safety net for urgent needs, practical life skills training, and a social enterprise that offers flexible, part-time work. Together, these elements help build confidence, independence, and long-term stability.
Financial Safety Net
We want these youth to know there is someone they can count on. To that end, we are agile and quick with support when life throws them a curve ball and they have used up all their available resources.We offer support with food (when their food stamps don’t come in), occasional rent assistance, help with school fees, and other life emergencies.
Critical Life Skills
Life skills training one-on-one with professionals or small group programming.
Budgeting, financial health, strength training, stress management, life coaching, cooking, housekeeping and basic car maintenance are a few of the categories we cover.
Employment Training
Mirth Project is currently working on creating a social enterprise to employ former Foster Youth. Stay tuned for more on this exciting initiative.
