May is National Foster Care Awareness Month

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to recognize the strength and potential of youth in and aging out of foster care, and to rally community support. Foster Forward invites you to join us this May to empower teens and young adults impacted by foster care to thrive. Every young person deserves a safe home, a supportive network, and the chance to pursue their dreams. Together, we can shine a light on their stories and help build brighter futures beyond foster care.

About Foster Forward: A Blueprint for Thriving Beyond Foster Care

At Foster Forward, we understand how daunting it can be for young people aging out of foster care to navigate adulthood without support. That’s why we created a comprehensive blueprint designed to guide youth through this critical transition.

Our approach isn’t just a group of individual programs, it’s an interconnected model that integrates housing, career support, education, financial literacy, mentorship, and more. Everything we offer is co-designed with youth, ensuring services are relevant, empowering, and responsive to real needs.

The blueprint includes:

• Housing & Basic Needs: Safe places to live and essential supplies so youth don’t face homelessness after care.

• Career & Education: Coaching, internships, and job readiness through programs like Works Wonders®.

• Financial Empowerment: Budgeting skills and matched savings to build financial stability.

• Mentorship & Community: Caring adults, peer leaders, and welcoming spaces like our Drop-In Center.

• Youth Leadership: Opportunities to shape programs and advocate for change.

This holistic system supports youth at every step of their journey and helps create lasting outcomes. In 2024 alone, nearly 40% of our clients participated in multiple programs, reinforcing that when services are connected, the results are transformative. We remain committed to ensuring that every young person transitioning from foster care in Rhode Island has access to a sustainable path toward independence and well-being

The heart of Foster Forward’s mission lives in the stories of the youth we serve. This month, explore personal journeys of resilience, growth, and transformation from young people currently in or transitioning out of care.

Join Our Monthly Donor Community

The progress you see in these stories happens because of people like you. Foster Forward’s work is sustained by monthly donors who believe in walking alongside youth as they transition from foster care into adulthood.

By giving monthly, you help:

• Keep our Drop-In Center open and welcoming

• Stock our Storefront with clothing and essentials

• Provide emergency support when youth need it most

• Sustain long-term coaching and housing support

Even a small recurring gift builds stability and trust. Become a monthly supporter today and be part of the community that ensures no young person ages out of foster care alone.