According to the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), twenty percent (20%) of the teenagers aged out of Virginia’s foster care system are at greater risk of homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration. This statistic grows in numbers because once these youths reach the age of 18, they no longer have the support of the foster care system. Many are left to figure out life by themselves. I don’t know about you, but when I was 18, I can tell you that I had no idea how to live fully independently and survive – and these young adults have no choice! Many nonprofit organizations have been established to help make a better start to these young adults’ lives. Fostering Acadia is one of the many independent living arrangements to aid 18 to 20-year-olds in learning how to survive autonomously and to help them reach both their education and career goals. These types of programs are extremely helpful but overloaded because many of these young people still need to learn about and develop their own career, financial, and life goals. The Success Foundation (TSF) is another nonprofit organization partnered with Fostering Acadia to mentor and prepare a select group of young adults, who have shown they are ready to take the next positive step for their future, to develop these much-needed independent goals. 

Volunteering with TSF has been both a wonderful and educational experience. Working alongside one of the young adults, I have learned many unexpected things. For instance, when it comes to hard and soft skills within the workplace, those skills typically come naturally since we witnessed them throughout our childhood. Unfortunately for these young adults, this is not the case. Many have yet to develop these skills because of a lack of demonstration when they were growing up. It is humbling to work alongside these individuals, teaching them skills that are typically second nature to us and will help them grow professionally. Another great experience from TSF is being present when the young adult is learning more about themselves: what they are passionate about, what skills and topics intrigue them, and areas in their life that they are great at completing but are not interested in the subject. Dwindling career paths of what they are truly captivated by, witnessing when they realize what they want to do as a profession, and working out the education behind the occupation, is immensely remarkable. Seeing them know that they have a purpose and can accomplish their goals is what being a mentor is all about. 

If you are passionate about helping others become better versions of themselves, want to help change our rising generation for the better, and see a change in Virginia’s current process in the aging-out of its foster care system, I implore you to check out The Success Foundation’s website: successva.org. You will receive more information about TSF and how to volunteer to change people’s lives.