An innovative program in the San Francisco, CA area uses trained service dogs, or “certified courthouse dogs” to comfort children who have to testify in court during stressful legal proceedings. The San Francisco chapter of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) began using support dogs in 2016 when a former Judge learned about the benefits of a court dog program and advocated for its use. CASA executive director Kate Durham says, “When kids are in foster care, they are often removed from families and communities.” While such children may meet scores of attorneys and court workers, “none of those people really focus specifically on the young person.” That’s where dogs like these come in, to help get clients through traumatic times.



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Against All Odds, a Texas-based nonprofit that supports youth aging out of foster care, opened its first group home in Amarillo last year and will be opening another this month. This is the first group home in the Panhandle for 18 to 21 year-old young women aging out of foster care. Along with secure housing, residents also receive mentorship, life skills training, and case management to support their personal and professional development. “I am doing better… The stereotypical odds of aging out of care isn’t what it has to be or what people say. You can always flip the script and put it into your own life” shares Arriyanah Oliver, a resident of the home who has also secured employment. Now, Against All Odds hopes to expand its number of group homes further to include young women who have children.



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Eric Benson, the creator of car fanatic club RiverCity Rippers, has now co-founded The First Car Project to help teenagers in foster care obtain their first car in Kentucky. Benson expressed his desired goal of helping the community more after the club grew bigger and reached around 3,000 members. As a father of two young adults, he believes having a car will help teenagers build independence while allowing them an easier transition to adulthood. The First Car Project aims to give out two cars to teenagers in foster care in Kentucky in 2024 and will cover the costs of a car along with initial maintenance, insurance and registration.

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Juniata County Foster and Adoption Group in Mifflintown, PA is holding their annual Soup, Salad and Baked Goods Supper this month as their flagship fundraising event. Juniata County Foster and Adoption Group was founded by Melanie Stoltzfus in 2019 to serve multiple counties in Pennsylvania. The vision of the group is to “help bring hope and healing to every local foster and adoptive child.” The group aims to create a place for people to ask questions, find information, and have discussions. Funds from the supper enable the group to provide support through continuing education, monthly meetings and activities for children and families. “We want to see a community that supports and encourages each other,” said Stoltzfus.

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Oakland, CA nonprofit Beyond Emancipation provides youth both currently in and aged out of foster care with a variety of services such as housing, educational assistance, and life skills coaching to support them in their transition to becoming independent adults. Serving over 500 young people in the region, the organization has 20 coaches on staff who support youth as they navigate school, the workforce, and their personal lives. 23-year-old Jayde Clark, a participant since 2018, says that her coach, DW, has helped her become more independent and resilient. DW shares that her goals for Clark are “making sure she feels well rounded and comfortable in her own skin.” 



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Wonder, a program in Rancho Cordova, CA, matches adult volunteers with youth with foster care experience to help the youth build their confidence and expose them to new experiences. The article highlights the story of 12-year-old Ryan and his mentor, Cherl Enders. Ryan spent time in foster care, and he and Cherl formed a deep connection over the past four and a half years, meeting twice a month to engage in various activities, such as baking. Through their activities, Enders has played a vital role in helping Ryan navigate adversity and build trust, showing the positive impact of mentorship programs.

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Fair Futures, a program in New York City, focuses on creating long-term relationships with youth with foster care experience through a holistic mentorship program. Tracy Jenkins, co-executive director of the Center for Fair Futures, discusses how the program takes a comprehensive approach and pairs high school students with a mentor who can stay with them until they are 26, effectively meeting their individualized needs. The mentor specialists advocate for their mentees by providing them with career development opportunities, emotional support, and advocacy in the education system. Tracy, a Brooklyn native and social worker, emphasizes celebrating every milestone in the young person’s life and envisions expanding the program’s impact within and outside the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.  

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