We continue to see a significant increase in risk to children aging out of the foster care system to engage in criminal activity, experience unwanted pregnancy, and depend on the system due to a lack of support once they have reached the age of 18 and children services can no longer pay foster families to care for and guide foster children. Thrive seeks to partner with local government and businesses specialized in helping young adults to provide housing, education (vocational or college), mentorship to be a successful adult and citizen, employment, and a vehicle to these young people to prevent poverty, dependence on the system, incarceration, and promote family planning so they achieve stability for future generations.
Thrive has also seen a lack of choice for families caring for adults with disabilities, causing financial and emotional strain on parents and individuals. Thrive seeks to promote choice for these families by providing professional care in a home of the individuals choice, job coaching, and facilities for care during the day that engage individuals in their communities to make friends and expand their circle of support.
In order to do this, Thrive will be working with multiple entities to subcontract, network, fundraiser, and facilitate the following programs:
- Housing youth transitioning out of foster care in college dorm style housing while they complete programs to advance their stability and independence.
- Driver's education courses to obtain a driver's license. Car will be given to those that complete this course requirement in order to facilitate transportation to and from work/school.
- College programs for certificates or advanced degrees. In partnership with Lorain County Community College, students exiting the foster care system are entitled to programs to advance their education at no cost to the student.
- Vocational programs for skilled trades. In partnership with local businesses and agencies, students will complete a chosen skilled trade program. Upon completion, students will be given a complete set of tools to perform the duties they will encounter at their new job and they will be placed with a company to gain experience in the field while receiving full pay and benefits.
Additional programs for the community in general include:
- Placement for youth in the foster care system with caregivers that will allow the children to remain in their current school system, maintain contact with their parent/guardian while their parent completes steps for reunification, and provides therapeutic support for children while in care to overcome trauma and emotional difficulties.
- The establishment of community centers to provide an accessible, safe space for community members to access substance abuse counseling, parent mentorship and supportive services, employment and resume building services for job seekers, and programs to keep seniors active in their community. When school is over, children will have a supervised place to engage in educational classes on mental health, college preparation, life skills, and homework help before playing sports or doing activities.
- Services provided to adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities in the community, including residential services, job coaching, assistance in finding accessible housing, and day programs.
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