2025: Year in Review
Looking Back, Moving Forward: Foster Forward’s Year in Review
As our 30th anniversary year comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the milestones, challenges, and collective progress that defined this past year at Foster Forward.
For three decades, our mission has remained steady: to empower lives impacted by foster care. This year reminded us that progress happens in many forms: recognition, advocacy, creativity, community, and tangible steps toward stability.
Below, we’re sharing a month-by-month look at the moments that shaped our year.
January: Honoring Leadership and Vision
The year began with a moment of pride as Executive Director Lisa Guillette was named USA TODAY’s 2025 Woman of the Year for Rhode Island. The recognition reflected more than two decades of leadership focused on housing innovation, workforce development, and systems change for youth aging out of foster care. Lisa often credits her father’s words, “There’s never a traffic jam on the extra mile,” as a guiding principle for her work.
February: Investing in Health and Housing
In February, Foster Forward was named a 2025 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island BlueAngel Community Health Grantee. This funding supports our work to expand access to safe, affordable housing and reinforces the critical link between housing stability and overall well-being.
March: Youth Creativity Takes Center Stage
At AS220’s Fashion Show and Clothing Drive, youth from our Works Wonders® program showcased their talents as designers, models, musicians, and organizers. The event celebrated creativity while also generating clothing donations that directly supported young people in our programs, a powerful example of youth leadership in action.
April: A Record-Breaking 401Gives
April brought an extraordinary show of community support. During 401Gives, 386 donors helped raise $338,569, our most successful campaign to date. For the fifth year in a row, Foster Forward was the top fundraiser statewide, a testament to the belief so many people place in our mission.
May: Advocating for Housing Stability
As proposed cuts threatened homelessness prevention funding, Foster Forward staff and youth joined advocates at the Rhode Island State House for the Save Our Homes Rally. With homelessness on the rise across the state, we stood together to call for policies that protect housing stability and prevent crises before they begin.
June: Bringing Youth Voices to Capitol Hill
In June, Lisa testified before the U.S. House Ways & Means Subcommittee on Work & Welfare, sharing how programs like Works Wonders® and housing vouchers help young people build independence. The visit also included conversations with federal leaders about the importance of continued investment in transition-age youth.
July: Standing Up for Values and Communities
Foster Forward joined a nationwide coalition challenging unlawful federal funding restrictions that threatened housing, health, and survivor services. The lawsuit underscored our commitment to equity, inclusion, and access to life-saving resources. Later in the year, the coalition’s success affirmed the importance of collective action.
August: Youth Inspiring Youth
In August, we were inspired by Lew, a Rhode Island student who chose to donate their $500 Feinstein Golden Ticket award to our Your Way Home program. Their generosity served as a reminder that leadership and compassion know no age.
September: Celebrating 30 Years at the Gala
Our 30th Anniversary Gala was a night of reflection and forward vision. Thanks to the generosity of our community, the event raised more than $425,000, a record-breaking total that will support youth and families for years to come.
October: Sharing Our Story with Rhode Island
Foster Forward was honored to be named WPRI 12’s 12 Gives Back organization of the month. The feature helped amplify our mission and spotlight our Holiday Gifts Campaign, reaching new audiences across the state.
November: Breaking Ground on Melrose II
In November, we celebrated the groundbreaking of Melrose II, an innovative affordable housing project in Pawtucket. Designed to support youth aging out of foster care, the project reflects our commitment to creative housing solutions paired with wraparound supports.
December: Building the Future at Center City Apartments
The year concluded with the groundbreaking of Phase One of Center City Apartments in East Providence. This partnership will create 95 affordable homes, with additional phases bringing the total to 144 units, including apartments dedicated to young people transitioning out of foster care.
Looking Ahead
As we close this anniversary year, we do so with gratitude for our youth, our staff, our partners, and our supporters who make this work possible.
This year's milestones are not endpoints. They are foundations for what comes next.
Thank you for being part of Foster Forward’s journey for the past 30 years and for helping chart the course ahead.
