Project overview
Young people moving out of foster care or homelessness need support services for a strong transition to independence. We work with LifeWorks to connect youth and their caregivers with the right services and support for their next chapter.
How it helps
Homeless youth, youth aging out of foster care, and runaway youth face immense challenges in becoming self-sufficient. They must figure out where they will live, how they will take care of themselves, and who can help them along the way. LifeWorks provides housing, counseling, and support with education and job placements to help vulnerable young people build healthy, productive, and successful lives.
LifeWorks starts by connecting youth with stable housing. With a safe place to live, young people can focus on their mental and physical health, education, employment, and other life skills.
In addition to its focus on guiding young people through strong transitions, LifeWorks works to end youth homelessness and strengthen and expand its evidence-based services.
I learned at LifeWorks that there will always be a bump in the road. You just have to know how to maneuver around it.
Desirae, Former Foster Youth
Meet Desirae
East Austin resident Desirae is studying at Austin Community College to become a juvenile defense attorney. She is married to her high school sweetheart and just bought a new car. When she’s not in school, Desirae works for a cable/internet company, where she was recently promoted.
With a constant smile on her face, Desirae exudes positivity and stoicism. But she will be the first to tell you that her path to happiness was not a smooth one. A former foster youth, Desirae was angry and restless throughout childhood. When she eventually aged out of care, she was ill-equipped to quickly make the transition into adulthood. She fell into debt and an unsustainable lifestyle as a working student.
Not content to continue down that path, Desirae approached LifeWorks for help. With the organization’s counseling services and financial assistance, Desirae was able to overcome her emotional and financial barriers to success.
Desirae’s story is just one of many examples of the resilience, determination, and potential among our community’s most vulnerable youth. But their track to success is precarious. Foster youth need support, guidance, resources, and encouragement to grow into happy and healthy adults.
