TAY Stay: Belonging In Community

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Many foster youth in Los Angeles, particularly those aged 16-24 who are without a parenting adult, face a daunting transition to adulthood. They encounter barriers, lack essential life skills and are at risk of exploitation. Despite numerous organizations' efforts, systemic challenges persist. Over-burdened organizations often cannot provide the sustained relationships and resources crucial for foster youth (and families). As a result, these young people struggle with navigating the complexities of adulthood. Alarmingly, youth aging out of foster care are the leading demographic entering sex trafficking and exploitation. 1 in 4 will be incarcerated within 2 years of leaving the system. Many are prone to drug abuse, poverty, and homelessness. The impact is also multigenerational: children of system-impacted young mothers are 5 times more likely to enter the foster system than children of other teen mothers. We aim to address all of this with our unique approach.

Caring relationships with dedicated adults are crucial for Transitional Age Youth (TAY). A collaboration between Second Nurture (2N) and A Home Within (AHW) creates belonging within a holistic support system, using 2N's community partnerships and AHW's therapeutic model and ensconces them in a stable, supportive ecosystem.
Project Overview:
Establish a TAY group that meets monthly at one of our 2N Host Communities (HC), facilitated by AHW therapists. These Cohorts will benefit from robust community support, where members step up as mentors, tutors, and provide any necessary support.
Current Model:
Each HC serves up to 20 foster families. Monthly meetings, staffed by 2N professionals and HC volunteers, provide foster families with space to connect and support one another. Community members offer ongoing support in various forms, such as tutoring, household help, and professional services like navigating educational systems and therapies.
New Initiative:
- Monthly TAY Meetings: Facilitated by AHW counselors, these meetings will offer therapeutic support and foster a sense of community.
- Embedded Support: Community members will serve as mentors and provide real-life support to TAY, helping with education, career guidance, and daily life skills.
The ripple effect of successful foster families supported by 2N's model is significant. This initiative aims to extend that success to TAY, empowering them to overcome barriers and succeed in adulthood.

Second Nurture envisions a world where each child/TAY is surrounded by a loving family and community that nurtures and supports their growth, shaping a future where everyone has the tools and opportunities to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the world, defined not by their circumstance, but by their promise and potential. If our work is successful, Los Angeles County will experience a profound transformation. In the short term, we see TAY that experience belonging and are held in community. Deep mentorship and relationship building paired with consistent mental health support brings new outcomes and new meaning to resilience for these youth.
Our plans for scaling involve expanding our model to more Host Communities across the county, leveraging community volunteers and partnerships to create a sustainable network of support. This will ensure that more TAY receive the guidance they need, ultimately contributing to a stronger, more vibrant Los Angeles County.

Preparing for success involves collaborating with AHW and TAY to establish the goals that align with TAY needs. We'll focus on several key metrics. -Mental health will be gauged through pre- and post-program psychological assessments, along with feedback on therapy effectiveness. -Educational advancements will be measured by tracking changes in high school performance and college enrollment rates. -Employment success and life skills improvement will be assessed through employment status post-program and surveys. -Community integration and belonging will be evaluated by the frequency and quality of mentor-mentee interactions and community engagement levels. -Reductions in homelessness and incarceration among participants can be monitored. Long-term success involves analyzing the program’s scalability, assessing resources needed versus impact achieved. These metrics will help ensure the program is meeting TAY needs effectively and can be adapted or expanded to further communities.

A Home Within's specific responsibilities include:
-Leading support groups
-Individual therapy
-Training and supervising all therapists who participate in the program ensuring that all services offered maintain a high standard of quality and delivered in a manner that is sensitive to the unique needs of TAY.
-Collaborate with 2N to develop interventions that fit within the broader objectives of the program. Includes creating specialized approaches to Cohort sessions.
-Assist in the evaluation of the mental health outcomes of the program participants. By providing expert feedback and analysis, A Home Within will help measure the effectiveness of the therapeutic components of the program and suggest improvements or adjustments as needed.