Sparks: Empowering Foster Youth Through Mentorship, Life-Skills & Community Support

This grant will directly benefit transition-aged foster youth—a population that disproportionately faces risks of homelessness, unemployment, and disconnection when they age out of the foster care system without family support. Through Sparks, our flagship mentorship program, youth are paired with trained volunteer coaches who guide them through a six-month, 27-lesson curriculum that emphasizes academic growth, financial literacy, career readiness, and personal development. By building educational skills such as time management, study habits, and goal planning, Sparks helps youth improve their academic performance while preparing for long-term success in higher education and the workforce.

In addition to structured skill-building, Sparks fosters a strong sense of community through group workshops, peer-to-peer engagement, and in-person events that help youth combat social isolation and develop meaningful, lasting relationships. This combination of consistent mentorship and community support leads to transformational outcomes: 78% of participants report improved academic performance, 31% increased confidence in time management, and 89% noted improvements in mental wellbeing.

Grant funds will be used to strengthen these education- and community-focused supports by expanding mentor training, delivering more youth workshops, and hosting regular community engagement events. This investment will ensure that each participant not only gains the tools to succeed academically and professionally but also experiences the power of belonging to a supportive community that empowers them to thrive.