the Life Skills Program
44% of youth impacted by
foster care
HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS
The Life Skills Program is a 6-week course created to act as a bridge for young adults between the ages of 17 - 23 as they transition out of
foster care
into independence. The 6-week program focuses on financial literacy, workforce readiness, and violence prevention.
44% of youth impacted by
foster care
HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS
The Life Skills Program is a 6-week course created to act as a bridge for young adults between the ages of 17 - 23 as they transition out of
foster care into independence. The 6-week program focuses on financial literacy, workforce readiness, and violence prevention.
44% of youth impacted by
foster care
HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS
The Life Skills Program is a 6-week course created to act as a bridge for young adults between the ages of 17 - 23 as they transition out of foster care into independence. The 6-week program focuses on financial literacy, workforce readiness, and violence prevention.
Program Details
ELIGIBILITY
Young adults between the ages 17-23, who are in or have recently exited the foster care system.
Youth can be referred to the Life Skills Program by their caseworkers or any social worker that partners with ODHS Child Welfare.
Young adults can also self-refer.
UPCOMING DATES
Winter 2025:
3/3/2025 - 4/24/2025
(one week off for Spring Break 3/24)
Mondays, 4 - 7 PM
Spring 2025:
5/12/2025 - 6/6/2025
Mondays, 4 - 7 PM
BENEFITS
- Access to Essentials Bags Program
- Gas and Trimet Assistance
- Catered meals at each class
- Personalized Job Fair
- Classes taught by industry experts
- Graduation incentive of $400
ELIGIBILITY
Young adults between the ages 17-23, who are in or have recently exited the foster care system.
Youth can be referred to the Life Skills Program by their caseworkers or any social worker that partners with ODHS Child Welfare.
Young adults can also self-refer.
UPCOMING DATES
Winter 2024:
1/21/2025 - 2/25/2025
Tuesdays, 4 - 7 PM
BENEFITS
- Access to Essentials Bags Program
- Gas and Trimet Assistance
- Catered meals at each class
- Personalized Job Fair
- Classes taught by industry experts
- Graduation incentive of $400
Why is the Life Skills Program Important?
Young adults who age out of foster care are in need of additional support to successfully transition to independent living. Approximately 20% of foster youth become homeless the day they age out, are less likely to complete education degrees, and are at higher risk for human trafficking and incarceration (Ref 1).
One of the best ways to reduce these risks is to provide foster care transition programs that help young people transition to adulthood. Oregon is particularly vulnerable as the state has limited life skills training services. The state only supports approximately 9% of youth transitioning out of foster care, which is 14% below the national average (Ref 2). Project 48 is dedicated to supporting Oregon’s foster youth and started the first Life Skills Program in 2022 to expand the available services.
- Christina Dronen. (2019). 42 Aging Out of Foster Care Statistics. https://finallyfamilyhomes.org/the-problem/.
- Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2018, November 13). Fostering Youth Transitions. Oregon State Fact Sheet. https://www.aecf.org/resources/fostering-youth-transitions.
Young adults who age out of foster care are in need of additional support to successfully transition to independent living. Approximately 20% of foster youth become homeless the day they age out, are less likely to complete education degrees, and are at higher risk for human trafficking and incarceration (Ref 1).
One of the best ways to reduce these risks is to provide foster care transition programs that help young people transition to adulthood. Oregon is particularly vulnerable as the state has limited life skills training services. The state only supports approximately 9% of youth transitioning out of foster care, which is 14% below the national average (Ref 2). Project 48 is dedicated to supporting Oregon’s foster youth and started the first Life Skills Program in 2022 to expand the available services.
- Christina Dronen. (2019). 42 Aging Out of Foster Care Statistics. https://finallyfamilyhomes.org/the-problem/.
- Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2018, November 13). Fostering Youth Transitions. Oregon State Fact Sheet. https://www.aecf.org/resources/fostering-youth-transitions.
Support the Life Skills Program
If you want to support foster care youth as a life skills specialist or instructor, please contact nikia@project48.co with a description of your interest and skills. You can also provide a donation that will help us continue this essential program. Project 48 is a trusted Portland nonprofit organization that gives 100% of our donations directly to supporting Oregon foster youth.
