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An initiative of Fostering Connections · Southeast Kansas

Fostering Forward

Two Homes. One Vision. A Future Filled with Hope.

Why It Matters

Every young adult deserves a place to belong.

For most young adults, turning 18 doesn't mean facing life alone. They still have family to call for advice, encouragement, help with finances, or simply a place to come home to.

But for many young people aging out of foster care, that support system doesn't exist.

Fostering Forward is changing that.

An initiative of Fostering Connections, Fostering Forward will provide safe, stable transitional housing, caring adult relationships, and essential life skills for young adults ages 18–23 who have experienced foster care in Southeast Kansas.

45–48

Young adults estimated to age out of foster care annually in our seven-county region

18–23

Ages Fostering Forward plans to serve

2

Homes envisioned, one for young men and one for young women

5–7

Young adults anticipated per home

What Fostering Forward Provides

More than a roof. A foundation for life.

Fostering Forward will combine safe housing with the practical skills, personal accountability, and supportive relationships that help young adults thrive.

Stable Housing

A safe, welcoming place to live while preparing for independence.

Mentorship & Belonging

Caring Anchor Families and trusted adults providing encouragement and guidance.

Life Skills

Budgeting, cooking, managing a home, transportation, and financial responsibility.

A Path Forward

Support for employment, education, career development, and long-term independence.

The Vision, Brought to Life

Proposed Homes

A welcoming front door Room to study and work Mentors who show up Life skills, together A place to come home to A home in the community
The Plan

Starting with one home. Building toward two.

Our long-term vision includes separate homes for young men and young women. We plan to begin with one home once funding and preparations are in place, then expand as resources allow.

Phase One

Open the first home

Begins at $300,000 raised

Launch the first home once this funding goal is met and preparations are in place.

Phase Two

Expand to two homes

Begins at $700,000 raised

Add a second home, with one home for young men and one for young women.

Each young adult will voluntarily participate in a structured program emphasizing employment or education, mentorship, personal responsibility, and progress toward independent living.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the vision for Fostering Forward?

Fostering Forward is a transitional housing and life development initiative of Fostering Connections, designed to help young adults who have experienced foster care successfully transition into independent living.

Our vision is to create two safe, welcoming homes in Southeast Kansas, one for young men and one for young women, where young adults can experience stability, develop essential life skills, build healthy relationships, and work toward becoming confident, self-sufficient adults.

But Fostering Forward is about much more than housing. It is about surrounding young adults with the guidance, encouragement, accountability, and meaningful relationships that many of us receive from our own families well into adulthood.

Our goal is not simply to give young adults a place to stay. It is to help them build a life in which they can thrive.

Why is Fostering Forward needed?

For most young adults, turning 18 does not mean they suddenly become completely independent. They still rely on parents, grandparents, and other trusted adults for advice, financial guidance, transportation, encouragement, and sometimes a place to call home.

Unfortunately, many young adults aging out of foster care do not have that same safety net.

In Southeast Kansas, an estimated 45–48 young people age out of foster care each year across our seven-county region. Without consistent relationships and practical support, these young adults can face significant barriers to securing stable housing, maintaining employment, continuing their education, and building a successful future.

Through our work with young adults in the Anchor Family Program, Fostering Connections has seen firsthand how important safe housing and dependable relationships are to long-term success.

Fostering Forward is our response to that need.

Where do young adults aging out of foster care go without intervention?

The answer varies greatly. Some young adults are fortunate to have supportive relatives, former foster families, or friends who can help them transition into adulthood.

Others may find themselves moving from couch to couch, living in unstable or unsafe situations, entering shelters, or facing homelessness.

Even young adults who secure an apartment may struggle to maintain it without dependable transportation, employment, financial knowledge, or someone to turn to when challenges arise.

Fostering Forward seeks to help interrupt this cycle by providing both stable housing and the supportive relationships needed to build lasting independence.

What will it take to get Fostering Forward started?

Our long-term vision includes two homes, one for young men and one for young women, ideally accommodating approximately 5–7 young adults in each home.

We recognize the importance of beginning thoughtfully and building a sustainable program. Once adequate funding is secured and a suitable property is identified, we anticipate launching with one home serving either young men or young women.

Our initial priorities include securing an appropriate property, preparing the home for young adults, hiring qualified staff, establishing program policies, and ensuring sufficient operating funds are available.

As additional funding and community support become available, our goal is to open a second home.

Will Fostering Forward begin with one home or two?

Although our vision is to eventually operate two homes, we anticipate beginning with one home once sufficient funding is secured.

This approach will allow us to establish strong programming, build an effective team, evaluate outcomes, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the program before expanding.

Whether the first home serves young men or young women will be determined by community needs, available resources, and the most appropriate opportunity to launch successfully.

Is similar transitional housing available near Southeast Kansas?

While some programs provide housing assistance and independent living support to young adults who have experienced foster care, dedicated transitional housing combined with consistent mentorship, life skills development, and a family-like environment is limited in our immediate region.

Similar residential support models can be found in larger areas such as Northwest Arkansas and Kansas City.

Fostering Forward seeks to help fill this gap by creating a local opportunity for young adults to remain connected to their Southeast Kansas communities while building a stable future.

Who will reside at Fostering Forward?

Fostering Forward will serve young adults ages 18–23 who have experienced foster care and need additional support as they transition into independent adulthood.

Many of these young adults have experienced significant instability and may not have a dependable family support system to help them navigate housing, employment, education, transportation, finances, and other responsibilities of adulthood.

Young adults will be selected through an application and screening process, with consideration given to their individual circumstances, readiness to participate, and willingness to work toward personal goals.

Will young adults be sent to Fostering Forward, or is participation voluntary?

Participation in Fostering Forward will be completely voluntary.

Young adults will not be assigned or required to live in the program. Instead, they will choose to apply because they recognize the opportunity to build a more stable and successful future.

Young adults will be expected to actively participate in the program, establish personal goals, and take responsibility for their progress.

We believe lasting change is most successful when young adults are personally invested in their own future.

How will young adults learn about housing availability?

Fostering Connections will work closely with foster care agencies, DCF independent living coordinators, community organizations, schools, churches, and other professionals who serve young adults transitioning from foster care.

Our existing Anchor Family Program also provides direct relationships with young adults who may benefit from Fostering Forward.

As housing becomes available, we plan to share application information and eligibility requirements through our website, community partners, and referral networks.

What are the advantages of living at Fostering Forward?

Young adults will have access to much more than a bedroom. Fostering Forward is designed to provide a supportive environment where young adults can develop the tools and relationships necessary for long-term independence.

Planned opportunities and services include:

  • Safe, stable housing: A welcoming home environment while young adults work toward independent living.
  • Mentorship and meaningful relationships: Connection with a caring Anchor Family and other trusted adults.
  • Employment and education support: Assistance with job readiness, career development, college, and trade school opportunities.
  • Financial literacy: Learning to budget, save, manage credit, and make responsible financial decisions.
  • Life skills development: Cooking, grocery shopping, household management, time management, and basic vehicle maintenance.
  • Emotional and mental health support: Connections to counseling, life coaching, and other appropriate resources.
  • Transportation assistance: Help identifying reliable transportation solutions for work, school, and appointments.
  • Community and belonging: Shared meals, group activities, positive relationships, and opportunities for personal growth.

Our hope is that each young adult will leave Fostering Forward better equipped to live independently and with lasting connections to people who genuinely care about their future.

What will be required of young adults living at Fostering Forward?

Fostering Forward will provide a supportive environment with clear expectations and personal accountability.

Young adults will be expected to:

  • Be between 18 and 23 years of age and meet program eligibility requirements.
  • Complete an application, interview, and background screening.
  • Work full-time or work part-time while attending college or trade school.
  • Participate in the Anchor Family mentorship program.
  • Work toward individualized goals for housing, employment, education, financial stability, and personal growth.
  • Participate in scheduled check-ins, life skills activities, and program meetings.
  • Follow household expectations, respect other young adults, and help maintain a safe and welcoming home.
  • Remain drug- and alcohol-free in accordance with program policies.

The program will emphasize personal responsibility while recognizing that young adults develop skills and confidence at different rates.

Will young adults undergo background checks?

Yes. All prospective young adults will complete a background screening before being accepted into the program.

This process will help Fostering Connections evaluate each applicant's circumstances and maintain a safe environment for young adults, staff, and volunteers.

How will drugs and alcohol be handled?

Fostering Forward will maintain a drug- and alcohol-free living environment.

Prospective young adults will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to sobriety before entering the program and to follow all substance-use policies while living in the home.

We recognize that some young adults have experienced trauma and other challenges that may contribute to substance use. Our goal will be to approach these situations with both compassion and accountability, connecting young adults to appropriate resources when needed while prioritizing the safety of everyone in the home.

What happens if a young adult breaks program rules or does not meet expectations?

Fostering Forward will establish clear expectations so that young adults understand their responsibilities before entering the program.

For most non-serious violations, we anticipate using a progressive accountability process similar to expectations in the workplace. This may include verbal or written warnings, opportunities to correct behavior, and additional support when appropriate.

Generally, young adults may receive up to three warnings within an established time period before dismissal from the program is considered.

More serious violations, particularly those involving safety, violence, or illegal activity, may require immediate action.

Our goal will always be to balance accountability with compassion and to help young adults learn from mistakes whenever possible.

What staff will be onsite?

Fostering Forward plans to employ a full-time Fostering Forward Coordinator who will oversee day-to-day program operations, coordinate services, support young adults in meeting their goals, and connect young adults with community resources.

Additionally, each home will have a live-in house parent or trusted adult who will provide an overnight presence in the home.

This individual will receive a modest stipend in exchange for providing overnight supervision, helping maintain the property, and serving as a safe, dependable adult presence.

The house parent's role will not necessarily be to provide formal counseling or intensive case management, but rather to contribute to a stable, supportive, family-like living environment.

How will you measure progress and success?

We believe success should be measured by more than simply providing a roof over someone's head.

Each young adult will work with program staff to establish individualized goals and regularly review progress toward independent living. They will also complete both an entry and exit form to compare progress.

Regular check-ins and progress assessments will help us celebrate milestones, identify challenges, and adjust support as needed.

How will volunteers be involved?

Volunteers will be an essential part of the Fostering Forward vision.

Community members, churches, businesses, and organizations will have opportunities to share their time, experience, and talents with young adults.

Volunteer opportunities may include mentoring through our Anchor Family Program, tutoring, assisting with weekly meals and cooking instruction, providing transportation to appointments, teaching life skills, helping with employment preparation, and assisting with home and property projects.

We believe some of the most meaningful contributions come from ordinary people consistently showing up, building relationships, and reminding young adults that they are valued and supported.

How will Fostering Forward be funded?

Fostering Forward will be supported through a combination of private donations, grants, community partnerships, churches, businesses, and other charitable contributions.

Eligible young adults may also be able to use Transitional Youth housing vouchers or Section 8 housing assistance toward their housing expenses, subject to applicable program requirements and approvals.

While housing assistance may help offset a portion of residential costs, charitable support will remain essential for property acquisition, staffing, maintenance, life skills programming, counseling, transportation assistance, and other needs of the young adults we serve.

Our goal is to establish a sustainable funding model that allows Fostering Forward to serve young adults for many years to come.

How much funding has been raised, and what is the fundraising goal?

Fostering Connections has established a long-term fundraising vision of $1 million to help develop and sustain the Fostering Forward initiative.

The campaign will support housing acquisition and preparation, staffing, program development, and the resources necessary to help young adults successfully transition into independent living.

Since March 2026, $103,565 has been raised toward the Fostering Forward Project.

We are grateful for the individuals, businesses, churches, foundations, and community partners who are helping turn this vision into reality.

How can I help make Fostering Forward a reality?

Creating a brighter future for young adults aging out of foster care will require the support of our entire community.

Individuals, churches, businesses, and organizations can become part of the vision through financial gifts, grants, sponsorships, volunteer involvement, professional services, and in-kind donations.

Whether you help provide a home, teach a life skill, mentor a young adult, or make a financial contribution, your involvement can help create opportunities that extend far beyond the walls of a house.

Two homes. One vision. Countless opportunities to change a young person's future.

Get Involved

Help us turn this vision into reality.

A home can provide shelter. A community can help build a future.

Every gift, volunteer hour, professional partnership, and caring relationship can help a young adult take the next step toward a stable, independent future.

Campaign Began March 2026
$103,565 raised $1,000,000 goal
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