CHANGING THE NARRATIVE FOR FOSTER CARE ALUMNI
Fostering Greatness Inc. is a 501(c)(3) grassroots organization located in Western New York that assists transitioning foster care youth, young adults and alumni of color with life skills, housing stability, education, and career advancement, personal and professional development, leadership development, and full optimal health management.
ASSISTING FOSTER CARE ALUMNI WITH THE RESOURCES THEY NEED
Youth and young adults who have aged out of the foster care system are among the most vulnerable, underserved, underrepresented, and forgotten populations in the United States. Foster care alumni, especially youth and young adults of color, often do not receive the resources, skills training, mentorship, or other assistance that they need in order to live full, sustainable and successful lives. Fostering Greatness Inc. assists foster care alumni in Western New York with the material support, motivation, and community they need, so that they can switch from focusing on surviving to thriving.
Transitional Housing
We ensure that Western New York foster care alumni have access to safe, stable, affordable housing through HUD and local municipalities.
Education and Career Development
Our team assists foster care alumni build a positive future with vocational, educational, workforce development and service programs.
Leadership Development
By assisting foster care alumni ignite the spark of leadership; they can become a resource for themselves, their communities and other alumni.
Optimal Health Care
We assist transitioning foster care alumni in all aspects of their mental and physical healthcare journey in connection with behavioral health agencies with a wellness approach.
Created By Foster Care Alumni For Foster Care Alumni
Our founder, Leah Angel Daniel, grew up in the Buffalo, New York, foster care system. She understands firsthand the challenges and obstacles that foster care youth face. Leah was fortunate enough to be mentored and loved by people who helped her find her purpose in life and who have also attributed to her success. She founded Fostering Greatness Inc. to assist participants similar to her who have had a lived and shared foster care experience. Leah works diligently to change the narrative of negative statistics to positive outcomes for foster care alumni. Her goal is to support her fellow foster care alumni in taking control of their lives by assisting them with access, opportunities, and community support to obtain the resources that they need and deserve in order to be their best selves.
20,000 youth age out of the foster care system each year. 25% will not receive a high school diploma; 50% will develop a substance addiction; 20% will become homeless; 50% will be unemployed despite having a high school diploma or GED, and fewer than 13% will receive a college degree. Many earn less than $7,500 per year with 70% of them relying on government assistance. The lack of access to vital supports assures that foster care youth and young adults are 10 times more likely to be homeless than their peers. Living a cycle of unfulfilled potential creates a burden to society of $350 million per year in government assistance, incarceration, and lost productivity.
A Culturally Responsive And Strengths-Based Approach
At Fostering Greatness Inc., we affirm our participants’ cultural backgrounds and see their lived and shared experiences as an asset for continued growth. This approach helps foster care alumni identify their goals and strengths. With this guidance, they can find fulfillment in their personal and professional lives. By working with the Fostering Greatness Inc., team and community, foster care alumni can focus on their futures by building new pathways in life without the stress of instability.
Collaborating With The Western New York Youth Welfare Community
Fostering Greatness Inc. coordinates and works with other organizations that strive to change the negative outcomes for foster care youth and young adults. We also work with the local child welfare and foster care agencies to provide the highest quality resources to foster care alumni in Western New York. By working closely with other trusted organizations, we help foster care alumni access a network of resources, opportunities and community support across Western New York.
