Young Adults Formerly in Foster Care Gifted a Safe Space
Navigating life after foster care isn’t easy. When teens age out of the child welfare system, they often need more support than ever as they navigate learning how to live on their own, the stress of everyday adult life, and finding a safe place to call home.
Thanks to your generosity, many Olive Crest teens (as well as any former foster youth) have the opportunity to apply for transitional housing. Through this program, they have a small apartment and receive weekly training in basic life skills (cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, laundry, and even conflict resolution). They also receive assistance in using local transportation, education and employment coaching, college prep (financial aid application) assistance, and an opportunity to create savings that Olive Crest matches up to $250 a month.
And with the help and community support from Optum Healthcare, a few Orange County young adults received an extra special treat this summer: beautiful, landscaped backyards. On August 8, 30 Optum healthcare staff members volunteered for hours with gardening tools to make over four different spaces for THP residents. Now, not only do they have a place to call home, but a safe place to stop and smell the roses, too…something many of them have never had before.
Thanks to all who continue to support children and families through Olive Crest. Thanks for being a part of the solution!