Success Stories
Every youth aging out of foster care has a unique story, background, and set of needs. We provide support that reflects this diversity. By meeting each young person where they are, we help to ensure they receive the resources and care that set them on a path to success.
Olivia's First Car
Olivia is a college student who had saved money for months to purchase her first car. She had saved $2,500 for the purchase. Her social worker contacted Helping Hands – There After Foster Care to request that we help Olivia find a reliable and affordable car. We reached out to the community in search of a reliable vehicle and were offered a great deal on a used vehicle. Not only was it a great deal but the owner had the oil changed and put new tires on the vehicle before selling it to Olivia.
Ambrosha is college bound
Ambrosha emancipated from foster care when she was 17. She had aspirations to attend college but was unsure how she would pay for it, what she wanted her major to be, and how to register for classes.
Helping Hands-There After Foster Care volunteers met with Ambrosha to help her complete her FAFSA form and plan her class schedule, and helps her pay for tuition and books when financial aid does not cover those expenses.
Ty Gets New Specs
Oftentimes, youth move around frequently when they are in foster care. They may have certain needs that are overlooked when there is so much to take care of. Helping Hands – There After Foster Care regularly helps young adults who need eyeglasses or orthodontics. These expenses can be quite significant for a young adult who is just 18 or 19 years old and did not have the opportunity to have these needs met previously. Here we see Ty and his handsome new spectacles!
A Fresh Start for Chrystal
Chrystal was incarcerated soon after leaving foster care. With no family to visit or provide any emotional or financial support, Chrystal was completely alone and without anything but the most basic essentials. We provided Chrystal with funding on her account to purchase personal care items and snacks. Our volunteers wrote letters and sent birthday cards and when Chrystal was released, we were prepared ahead of time to provide her with a phone, clothing, and to help her start her new life.
Annual Gift Drive
In an effort to ensure the youth we serve know we care, we provide Christmas gifts for more than 60 youth who have either aged out of foster care or are the children of youth who have aged out of foster care. Youth are invited to tell us what they want and need. Volunteers then purchase and wrap the gifts they feel compelled to give. Our volunteers have provided youth with trade tools, computers, clothing, and household goods.
Welcoming a New Baby
Like many young women emerging from the foster care system, Julie became pregnant soon after emancipating. Helping Hands - There After Foster Care provided all of the essentials for Julie to bring her baby home from the hospital safely. We provided a car seat, a safe crib, diapers, clothing, and other necessary baby items.
