Today Ready for Life proudly celebrates 17 years of Changing Lives Beyond Foster Care, and what a journey it has been!

In 2009, David Fischer, Gerry Hogan, and Bud Risser came together around a bold idea: that no young adult should age out of the foster care system without support, guidance, and opportunity. They enlisted our CEO Kathy Mize and their shared vision sparked the creation of Ready for Life as a community-based solution to bridge the gap from foster care to independence.

What began as a grassroots effort has grown into a vibrant community of hope, opportunity, and belonging. Over the past 17 years, Ready for Life has walked alongside thousands of young adults and their children, helping them move from uncertainty to stability through education, employment, housing support, life skills, and a network of people who truly care.

Every milestone reached, every GED earned, every job secured, and every family strengthened tells the story of what happens when resilience is met with opportunity. From the early days with a few desks and big dreams to today’s expanding programs and services like the Spark Lab and the Family HOPE Center, Ready for Life continues to evolve to meet the real needs of the young adults we serve.

This anniversary isn’t just about how far we’ve come: it’s about who made it possible. The incredible former foster young adults—The Youth Voice—our volunteers, mentors, staff, board and council members, donors, and community partners: we have built something extraordinary together. You are the bridge that helps transform resilience into independence and lasting change.

As we step into the next year, we do so with deep gratitude and unwavering optimism for what lies ahead. Thank you for believing in the young people we serve, investing in their futures, and being part of a community that proves every day that the cycle can be broken.

Here’s to 17 years of outstanding hope, continuous growth, and many lives changed—and the work continues!

1st Annual Health & Wellness Day! 🥬

Our first Ready for Life Health & Wellness Day was such a great way to kick off the year! Young adults, families, and community partners came together for a fun, welcoming day focused on feeling healthier, stronger, and supported.

Guests enjoyed free health screenings from Dr. Jack Haffey, nutrition guidance from Korin Deitch, mental health resources from NAMI, financial wellness with GTE Financial, and fitness tips from UFC Gym Largo, helping everyone stay active and strong in the new year! Participants enjoyed a complimentary nutritious lunch and numerous hands-on wellness activities. Everyone loved making their own overnight oats and sampling fresh wellness juice shots, which gave them easy, healthy ideas to take home and enjoy!

From wellness gift bags and community tables to great conversations and new connections, the day was full of positive energy and care. When we support the whole person, amazing things happen, and this day emphasized just how powerful community can be!

Thank you to our incredible partners, volunteers, and everyone who joined us to make our first Health & Wellness Day such a meaningful success! 💚

A Reel Difference: Thank You Suncoast Classic Events! 🎣

We are incredibly grateful to Suncoast Classic Events and Erika Almond for their extraordinary generosity and long-standing partnership. Through the 2025 Suncoast Kingfish Classic and the Suncoast Ladies Classic tournaments, an amazing $38,000 was raised to support Ready for Life and the young adults we serve.

Because of this gift, young adults have more stability, students have more access to education and job pathways, and young families have stronger support systems to build lasting independence.

Thank you, Erika and the entire Suncoast Classic Events team, for believing in our mission and for continuing to change lives beyond foster care in such a powerful way!

⛳️ Birdies for Brighter Futures

This spring, Ready for Life is teaming up with the Valspar Championship’s Birdies for Tampa Bay Charities program, an exciting way for our community to give back while making every dollar go further!

Through this special partnership, Ready for Life receives 100% of every gift made in our name — plus a 15% match from Copperhead Charities’ Bonus Fund. That means your generosity instantly grows, helping us provide housing stability, education and career support, parenting resources, and life-skills coaching for young adults who are building their futures after foster care .

There’s even more good news: if Ready for Life raises $500 or more, we also receive ten complimentary grounds tickets to the first round of the 2026 Valspar Championship on Thursday, March 19 — giving our team the opportunity to invite supporters, partners, or young adults we serve to experience this incredible community event.

And for donors, there’s a fun twist. Anyone who gives $20 or more can take part in “Guess the Birdies,” predicting how many birdies PGA TOUR players will make during the tournament. Each guess automatically enters you for a chance to win two First-Class Delta Air Lines travel vouchers and two Thursday–Sunday DEX DECK hospitality tickets for the 2027 Valspar Championship.

This is a fun way to turn the excitement of this world-class golf tournament into real, lasting impact for our community! Learn more and donate now at the link below.