Last month, we highlighted Planned Companies’ support of the First Night Kit Program, which provides essential items to children entering foster care. Teams at Planned assembled more than 20 kits using employee-donated items. This month, we’re turning our focus to the other end of the journey — how we can support young people as they transition out of the foster care system.
Each year, thousands of young people age out of foster care and step into adulthood without the family support most of us rely on.
At 18 or 21 (depending on the state/province), they’re expected to navigate housing, employment, healthcare, education, and finances—often while carrying the weight of trauma and instability. It’s a lot for anyone to bear on their own. And without strong transition support, the risks are real: homelessness, unemployment, mental health struggles, and limited educational attainment.
But with the right support, outcomes change dramatically. Successful transitions focus on a few essentials:
- Stable housing
- Access to education and career pathways
- Life skills training
- Ongoing mental health care
- At least one consistent, supportive adult
Systems matter—but so do people.
What Individuals and Communities Can Do
You don’t need to overhaul public policy to make an impact. Real change often starts at local and personal levels.
- Become a Mentor – we share tips on how to get started below
A consistent adult relationship can be life-changing for a young adult learning to adapt to their new life. Mentors provide guidance, encouragement, and, importantly, reliability. - Create Job Opportunities
Employers can consider offering internships, apprenticeships, or entry-level roles to young adults aging out of care. Experience builds confidence and independence. - Support Education
Donate to scholarship funds. Volunteer with tutoring programs. Offer career coaching or résumé help. Even a mock interview session can boost someone’s chances. - Provide Housing Support
Communities can partner with nonprofits to expand transitional housing. Landlords can work with agencies that support foster youth. Stable housing is often the turning point. - Advocate Locally
Attend community meetings. Support legislation that extends foster care services or increases funding for transition programs. Policy shapes possibility. - Give Strategically
Donate to organizations focused on transition-age youth. Financial support helps provide housing assistance, counseling, and career training.
How to get started
Local and Community Options
We suggest beginning with resources in your own area.
County Child Welfare / Department of Social Services
Call or email your local child welfare office and ask:
“Do you have a list of mentorship programs or agencies serving transition-aged youth?”
They often partner with nonprofits and can point you to vetted programs.
Faith-Based & Community Groups
Churches, mosques, synagogues, and community centers sometimes run mentoring or “support family” programs for foster youth.
Search phrases:
- Foster care mentoring + [your city/state]
- Support families for foster youth + [your city/state]
Local Nonprofits & Youth Services
Organizations focused on youth development, housing stability, or job readiness often include mentoring:
- YMCA / YWCA
- Boys & Girls Clubs
- Community action agencies
- Workforce development centers
Online Matching & Volunteer Platforms
These websites list verified opportunities and let you narrow by interest and location:
VolunteerMatch.org
Search “foster care mentoring” near you.
Idealist.org
Lots of nonprofit listings — try “mentor foster youth”.
Serve.gov
Government volunteer portal with youth mentoring listings.
Quick Tips for Getting Started
- Expect training. Reputable programs require background checks and training — this keeps youth safe and sets mentors up for success.
- Be ready for a commitment. Mentoring relationships are most effective when they’re stable and long-term. Many aging out of foster care have experienced a lot of transition in their young lives, and offering stability and reliability is important for them.
- Check age focus. Some programs focus on younger kids; you want transition-age programs (16–24).
It’s estimated that 18,000 – 23,000 youth age out of the foster care system in the U.S. each year, and approximately 2,300 in Canada age out – a critical reason mentoring, community programs, and policy support are so important.