5 Nonprofits Supporting Foster Youth in the Bay Area, and How You Can Get Involved.
Informed by the experiences and keen observations of longtime advocate Hannah Stombler-Levine, this carefully curated list spotlights nonprofits actively supporting Bay Area Foster Youth. It underscores the exceptional commitment of these organizations to aiding at-risk youth and suggests ways for individuals to actively participate
A Home Within
A Home Within, an indispensable addition to this list, distinguishes itself through its commitment to addressing the mental health needs of foster youth. By providing pro bono psychotherapy services, A Home Within ensures that foster youth have access to the crucial emotional support necessary for navigating the challenges of their unique journeys. This nonprofit, recognized by advocate Hannah Stombler-Levine, stands as a beacon of resilience and healing, actively contributing to the well-being and emotional stability of foster youth in the Bay Area.
Personal testimony from a foster youth advocate: “Mental health support is a huge problem in the child welfare system. Over the first 3 years of being a CASA, the youth I supported moved nearly 30 times. Within those 30 placement changes, this youth was assigned 6 different therapists. For youth with attachment issues due to their trauma, this is detrimental to their mental health. When they were finally referred to a Home Within, they were able to receive a therapist who could stay with them regardless of their placement.”
Are you a therapist or know a therapist who might want to get involved? Check it out today.
Beyond Emancipation:
Beyond Emancipation secures its place for its innovative programs tailored to youth transitioning out of the foster care system. Their focus on life skills, education, and employment equips youth with the tools necessary for a successful transition to independence.
As mentioned in our blog about most effective nonprofits found here, Beyond Emancipation checks all of the boxes.
Interested in getting involved? Check it out here
City Youth Now:
For over 70 years, City Youth Now has partnered with the San Francisco Juvenile Court System, addressing the unique needs of youth, especially those in foster care and the juvenile justice system. Established in 1950, CYN is the first nonprofit of its kind in the U.S. Programs extend beyond Juvenile Hall, supporting youth in group homes, extended foster care for 18-22-year-olds, kinship care, and the community, recognizing the intersection between the welfare system and juvenile probation.
Personal testimony from a foster youth advocate: “City Youth Now has played an instrumental role in thousands of foster youth’s lives in the Bay Area. The youth I supported used City Youth Now to obtain tutoring while in the juvenile justice system. When they were out of probation, City Youth Now also helped provide clothing, books and other funding to help this youth catch up with their peers in school and the community. Recently they added a ‘Free Store’ to allow foster youth and juvenile justice involved youth to access clothes for interviews, basic home goods, and other items that they may not have the funds for.”
Interested in getting involved? Check it out here.
Make it Home:
For those transitioning out of homelessness or aging out of the foster care system, even the simplest of furniture and household goods are unaffordable. Make it Home was created to solve this problem. Started by an interior designer, Carolyn Rebuffel Flannery, Make it Home is a non-profit furniture bank that provides gently used furniture and household goods to newly-housed foster kids, formerly homeless families and individuals who would otherwise move into an empty apartment.
Personal testimony: “As a social worker for foster youth aging out of the system, it was a constant problem finding funding to help these young people furnish their first houses. Make It Home has helped so many of the clients on my caseload turn their houses into homes.”
Have some furniture to donate? Click here
City of Dreams:
Closing the list is City of Dreams, celebrated for its commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty through mentorship and educational programs. By providing positive role models and educational opportunities, this nonprofit sets foster youth on a trajectory towards a brighter future.
This organization is also one of the most easily accessible in terms of getting involved.
Unsure how you can contribute? Check it out here
Conclusion:
The top 5 nonprofits supporting foster youth in the Bay Area, as recognized by advocate Hannah Stombler-Levine, share a common dedication to addressing the diverse needs of these young individuals. Through innovative programs, trauma-informed care, and community support, these organizations stand as beacons of hope, actively shaping the futures of foster youth in the Bay Area.
