Play the video to see the impact Mile High United Way's Bridging the Gap has had in the lives of participants or read the full report.
They don't have the support system of a family or social network. As a result, they are more likely to face crime, violence, and poverty – putting them at increased risk for becoming part of Denver's homeless population.
of foster youth will graduate high school on-time in Colorado.1
At age 24, only half are employed.2
have been homeless for at least one night since leaving foster care.2
have run into trouble with the law within two years of leaving foster care.2
1. Colorado Department of Education, 2017
2. Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth: Outcomes at Age 26 (Courtney et al. 2011)
Independent Living Coaches work with program participants to provide critical housing resources with a 36-month Family Unification Program housing voucher and trauma-informed coaching. Coaches also help youth pursue employment, access education, learn about financial health, and set wellness goals.
When participants have stable housing in place, youth can focus on other goals like furthering their education and building a strong support system for themselves and their children.
Each year, the program supports 150 clients, or nearly 50% of the youth exiting the foster care system in Colorado. Learn more about our participants and how the program has transformed their lives in our 2019-2020 Impact Report.
Youth are provided with a 36-month Family Unification Program (FUP) housing voucher to start their adult lives in a safe place.
Through career weeks, mock interviews, job internships and more, participants are given the tools to try to find and keep a job.
Coaches help youth discover all the options available, and prepare them for success as they pursue their goals.
Through classes and coaching, we work with youth to establish healthy financial practices that will lead them on a path to sustainability.
Youth leaving foster care may have mental health or developmental needs that coaches address by helping youth find supportive community resources.
Coaches help youth set goals and access skill-building opportunities, reviving a sense of hope for the future that many had cast aside.
The Infant and Toddler Community program provides more holistic support to parents and their children. Parents meet weekly with their group, while their children play safely nearby. The childcare component provides structure and routine for parents and children; both critical for healthy development.
When you support Mile High United Way's Bridging the Gap program, you are giving a young person who aged out of the child welfare system the chance to become an independent and self-sufficient adult.
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