The Bridge Program
More Harm Than Good: The Truth About Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
With no support and no blueprint, young adults age out of foster care at a rate of 575 per year in Michigan. Growing up is no simple task, now consider that these young people are isolated, without a community, supportive adult, or direction. Due to no fault of their own, this forgotten population languishes with sky high rates of mental illness, homelessness, and incarceration.
A Population in Crisis
Youth with Experience in Foster Care in Michigan
Nationally
A Dire But Fixable Problem
Evidence informed, supportive services make a difference. An innovative model and our team of multidisciplinary caring professionals bridges the gap from foster care to a stable adult life.
People Served
Young people ages 14 - 29 in foster care, who have aged out of foster care, or who have experienced failed permanency plans.
Service Period
Average of 2 years.
Service Locations
Individuals residing in Wayne County, Oakland County, Macomb County.
Change is measured across five life domains including Personal Wellness, Education, Employment/Career, Ties to the Community and Housing.
Success Story:
A participant took a bold and courageous step toward prioritizing their mental health. Accessing mental health care isn’t always easy, and starting the journey can feel overwhelming. But despite these challenges, the participant recognized the importance of their well-being and chose to engage in personal wellness with our wellness clinician. We are incredibly proud of them for taking this brave step and committing to a healthier, happier future!
Follow @TheNewFosterCare for more success stories!
Success Story:
This participant's journey has been a long one. After couch surfing and not having a place to call his own, he finally got the chance to start over. Imagine not having a home or even your own bed, life would feel uncertain. But thanks to the help of our team and the incredible work of Humble Design, that all changed. For the first time, he has a place to call home and his very own bed. He’s come so far, and this transformation marks the beginning of a brighter future for someone who truly deserves it!
Follow @TheNewFosterCare for more success stories!
Success Story:
Thrilled to announce that a participant has officially been accepted to play college basketball for a prestigious team in California! This is a reflection of their hard work, dedication, and incredible talent on the court. Join us in celebrating this amazing achievement and wishing them all the success in this new chapter of their basketball journey!
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Success Story:
During the holiday season in 2022, the Yatooma family sponsored a young mother who aged out of foster care and her children for a beautiful Christmas, and what started as a simple act of kindness blossomed into a beautiful friendship.
Invited into their home and church community, she found laughter, support, and a sense of belonging. This journey shows how amazing community ties can be, and that connection can be found in the most unexpected places.
Follow @TheNewFosterCare for more success stories!
Success Story:
Securing employment can be particularly challenging for young adults transitioning out of foster care. Our Bridge Program, supported by strong community connections, plays a strong role in facilitating this process. Some of our participants have recently started or are about to begin new employment opportunities. These achievements underscore the effectiveness of our program and the value of collaborative support. We look forward to more milestones ahead!
Follow @TheNewFosterCare for more success stories!
Stability and access is key, our Bridge services remain in place during crisis, success, and failure, much like a family. Ultimately, community ties and reciprocity is honed, and program participants give back their own gifts and talents to our program and the community at large.
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Bridge Program Alum
Meet Gabriella, an African American woman and a former foster youth. As a first-generation college student at Wayne State University, Gabriella pursued her Bachelor of Social Work while engaging with the Bridge Program for community and support.
In 2022, she joined TNFC as a Peer Support Specialist and created a board for Alumni to learn how to advocate locally, statewide and nationally, for those navigating the complexities of foster care. Her dedication and passion did not go unnoticed, leading her to a well-deserved promotion as a Transition Navigator.
Gabriella's commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and change is evident in every aspect of her work. She champions effective change at the individual level by working closely with participants, local level by attending legislative forums and community meetings surrounding child and social welfare, and at the national level by participating in political conversation and voting annually, striving to ensure that young adults have the resources and support they need to be sustainable and self-sufficient enough to maintain and eventually pass down to their own children.
"Our lives begin to end, the moment we become silent, about the things that matter." - Martin Luther King Jr. "You are resilient, brave, and so much STRONGER and more POWERFUL than your fears." – unknown. These empowering messages lie at the core of Gabriella’s work and are reminders she often shares with those she mentors.
In addition to her role at TNFC, Gabriella serves as the Chairperson of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board, called Wraparound I.D.E.A.S. She has created the Collaborative Leadership Board, an alumni board teaching former fosters how to strategically advocate on all levels of government, a women's mentorship group called Women 2 Women, and fostering an environment of support and empowerment for those who need it most. Her plans to pursue a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Policy, Legislation, and Public Health and Safety further demonstrate her commitment to making a lasting impact.
The Cost of Doing Nothing
For every young person who ages out of foster care, taxpayers and communities pay
$300,000 in social costs.ⁱ
That’s over $172 million just for the young people who aged out in 2023. That amount does not include the thousands who have aged out in years prior or the thousands that will continue to suffer the same fate if this critical infrastructure need is not met. Intervention at this stage in the life of a foster care alumni can lead to a life of productivity and contribution to society rather than a life that serves as a drain on societal resources.
Access to Services: The Bridge
The Bridge website (coming soon) serves as a comprehensive tool that supports a community team and provides a centralized location where participants can access all necessary resources related to services and the program.