For youth exiting foster care at age 18 without family support, the transition to independent adulthood is especially difficult as supports and services offered through government systems end. Research shows that when supports for young people around housing, education and employment are not in place, risk factors for outcomes like homelessness, incarceration, pregnancy, serious illness and death rise significantly.

Building Futures & Foundations is an innovative program in which committed and well-trained community volunteers are matched with youth in the foster care system in a long term mentor-protégé relationship. The mentors provide guidance, advice, and support particularly focusing on the areas of housing, education and employment to improve long-term outcomes and promote lasting connections.

It is the experience of the advocacy community that while the government supports currently provided are a necessary element of transition planning, they do not provide the one-on-one assistance young people report wishing they had. At a summit entitled “Preserving Connections/ Promoting Independence” in late 2006, youth in attendance reported that what they need is stability, a person who is there, knows them, and can be a constant in their lives that they can count on. They also said they needed someone to help them get services and resources, someone who would walk them through the steps of the adult world, navigating systems. They need help with “normal things” such as finding a place to live, getting into school, securing financial aid, finding a job.

Get more information about mentoring a teen through the transition from foster care.

Support NMCAN's work for vulnerable children by making a donation today.

• New Mexico CASA Network

• NM Child Abuse & Neglect
  Citizen Review Board

• NM Access & Visitation Network

• Building Futures & Foundations