Alias grew up in Tijuana, Mexico, where as a young teen he was involved in organized crime. He experienced significant hardship and at times wondered what would happen to his life if he continued this way. As a foster teen, he eventually found his way to the Young Adult Self Sufficiency program (YASS) at The Children’s Center.
“YASS is like the family I never had. YASS provided me with opportunities I never would have never have imagined.” – Alias Tapia
Providing Tools for Success for Foster Youth
By supporting our YASS program, you make it possible to empower young adults like Alias who are exiting the foster care system. YASS gives them the resources and services to succeed on the path to independent living, including:
- a safe and supportive home
- a path to independent living
- individual treatment planning
- an 18-week course on job skills, interviewing relationships, finances, safety, and community activism
- a stable and positive support network
- mentors
- transportation support
- education monitoring and tutorial services
- a monthly stipend
These services are crucial to young people like Alias who face enormous challenges and odds. In fact, 25% of kids who age out of foster care immediately become homeless, rising to 40% within the first year. You have helped to provide young people ages 16-21 the support they need to thrive.
With YASS:
- 85% of youth graduate high school
- 84% live independently or with family two years after program completion
- 83% are in school, have graduated, or are employed two years after completion
- 77% of youth had no involvement with law enforcement two years after completion
Celebrating Foster Care Parents
One of the keys to our foster care kids’ success is the support they get from their foster care parents. This month we held a celebratory dinner for our foster care parents and families, including YASS participants, to show them how much we and the community appreciate their service in caring for children in need. Lots of fun was had at our 1970s-themed party, which welcomed more than 60 attendees including families, TCC board members, and staff.
Thank you for helping make our YASS program a success, and for ensuring kids like Alias experience a brighter future.
