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
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.
Bridge
Program
Alum
“My independence, my trust in people, and me expressing myself have all gotten better."
Meet a Bridge Program Alum, and current CMU student. They are pursuing their bachelors in commercial music. In 2022 they joined the Bridge program for support. “I heard how they helped with the community and how family-oriented they were, and I liked that.” Reflecting on their journey and personal growth, they shared “My independence, my trust in people, and me expressing myself have all gotten better. I have started to develop strong leadership skills, and I learned how to stay patient and wait for my time to show my self-improvement. I never thought about attending college before this program, but I am grateful to now be almost completing my first semester at CMU. The New Foster Care has helped me change my mind set on what I thought I could achieve.” Currently in college, they have been successful, engaging with campus programs and other students. “I am blessed and very thankful to have started this new chapter of life. I am studying to learn as much as I can and meet new people as I go.” Looking ahead, they shared their goals: “When I graduate, I would like to utilize my degree to its fullest advantage. I want to be a songwriter that is recognized on national TV and at award shows.” With determination and a newfound belief in themselves, they are proving that the possibilities are endless, and their journey is just beginning.
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.
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.
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.