Fostering Futures is a successful curriculum from National CASA to train advocates in meeting the specific needs of youth aging out of the foster care system. The Women's Initiative is an expansion of the program targeted to ensure that female youth in foster care have a stable place to call home. These young women, ages 14-21, face numerous challenges. Volunteer advocates meet participants monthly to provide mentoring on life-skills, self-awareness and esteem, financial literacy etc. Many are pregnant or have children living in foster care. Recently, there has been an increase in female youth who have run away for weeks or months. More have been referred to CASA as victims of sex trafficking.
The Baltimore Women's Circle grant will be used to support the staff responsible for the implementation, management and assessment of the Foster Futures - Women's Initiative.