These young people need the supports that most parented youth receive: safe, secure housing, assistance with education, employment and care for their individual needs.

Adequate investment in their support is needed.

1. We know who needs extra preventative supports and how to reach them. Who to help is not a mystery – we can place scarce resources toward those most in need. We have official governmental and institutional contact with young people before they ‘age out’ of care; both the school and child welfare systems provide this conduit for identification and connections to additional resources.

2. This is a relatively small group of individuals; therefore the goal of delivering these extra preventative supports is within reach. Aunt Leah’s provides these supports as our resources allow.

3. Early intervention creates brighter futures for foster youth. We have the opportunity and indeed the moral and ethical obligation for early intervention to prevent homelessness, crime, unemployment and unplanned pregnancies.

For over 30 years, Aunt Leah’s Place has been helping kids in foster care and young mothers achieve a better future by providing guidance, supported housing, job training and coaching on essential life skills. We believe every individual deserves to feel safe, cared for, and have a sense of belonging.

Aunt Leah’s Place often provides the only thread of care and continuity for youth whose lives are marked by abuse, neglect, abandonment and multiple foster home placements. Over the years, we have seen how support at this critical time can help these young people realize their potential while becoming resilient, independent adults.