Each year, approximately 20,000 of the 542,000 children in foster care nationwide are discharged to live on their own*

Volunteers of America's provides an Independent Living Program for foster children approaching their eighteenth birthdays — when they “age out” of the system.

Teens who participate in the Independent Living Program are:

• likely to remain in foster care until age 18
• between the ages of 15-21
• former foster youth who left foster care at age 18 or after, but have not reached age 21

These teens are at increased risk for homelessness, unplanned pregnancy, welfare dependency and incarceration. Independent Living helps them develop self-esteem and self-identity and connects them to dedicated professionals and mentors who help them plan and prepare for their future with:

• comprehensive case management
• individualized assessment and service planning
• private and group counseling
• budgeting and financial management training
• decision-making and daily-living skills
• job placement and retention support
• relationship and communication building

The program also helps kids access local, state and federal support services including:

• employment programs
• financial assistance
• GED and post-secondary education or vocational training
• healthcare coverage
• prevention programs (i.e. smoking avoidance, substance abuse and pregnancy prevention)
• transitional and permanent housing