Promises2Kids Collaborates to Launch $1 Million Foster Futures Program
As part of Promises2Kids’ commitment to help foster children overcome the difficulties of their past and grow into healthy, successful and independent adults, the organization is launching its ground-breaking Foster Futures Program. With financial support from the Lucky Duck Foundation, and the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, this intensive homelessness prevention and diversion program will provide support for at least 50 of San Diego’s highest risk former foster youth.
The main focus of the pilot program is to increase housing stability for each participant over a 24-month period. This will be accomplished by an increase in the participant’s ability to earn higher wages, secure career focused jobs, increase their financial literacy, access community resources, and develop a strong support system through mentoring.
National data reports that being in foster care as a child has been found to be a predictor of homelessness. In fact, former foster youth are one of the highest groups at risk, with approximately 30 percent of them becoming homeless within 24 months of leaving foster care at the age of 21.
“These youth deserve better, and by intervening with critical support, we can prevent them from becoming part of this statistic.” Says Tonya Torosian, CEO of Promises2Kids.
“Preventing youth homelessness is a leading priority of the Lucky Duck Foundation. Because half of the chronically homeless adult population first suffered from homelessness as a youth, we see this meaningful strategy to help foster youth attain self-sufficiency and reduce their high risk of homelessness.” Said Drew Moser, CEO of the Lucky Duck Foundation.
The total budget for the initial 12 months of the program will be $1 million. Promises2Kids has committed $400,000 to the program and currently has additional financial commitments from The Lucky Duck Foundation and the Regional Task Force on Homelessness for a total of $400,000 and is currently seeking $200,000 from The City of San Diego and the community. The pilot will launch November 4th, 2024, and the public is invited to support this effort by donating at promises2kids.org.
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