Christian Alliance for Orphans Home

Aging Out Initiative

Help youth aging out of foster care successfully transition into adulthood.

Sharing examples of ways organizations create healthy life transitions for those aging out of care.

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As older orphans and foster children age out of care, the trends are heartbreaking.

Homelessness, substance abuse, trafficking, crime and incarceration await many who lack adequate support networks. We believe the Church is called to step into that gap, opening doors to promising futures for these children through holistic life transition programs. 

The Aging Out Initiative works to identify and share successful models from CAFO member organizations that show how the Church can help create healthy life transitions for those aging out of international orphan care and U.S. foster care.

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Key Area Case Studies

Holistic Life Transition Programs

We believe the Church is called to step into that gap, opening doors to promising futures for children aging out of care through holistic life transition programs in the following key areas:

Life Skills Training

Case Studies

Spiritual Care & Mentoring

Case Studies

Transitional Housing

Case Studies

Career Development

Case Studies

Support Networks

Case Studies
Key Area Case Studies

Life Skills Training

The Bair Foundation serves children & families throughout Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Their goal is to provide Christ-centered, quality care and services dedicated to the treatment, restoration and empowerment of children, youth and families.

The Bair Foundation has a focus on Independent Living – as they see the vital need for these youth who are aging out to have the skills and education needed prior to transitioning into adulthood. The Bair Foundation improves the outcomes for older youth by providing training & focusing on the following areas necessary to become self-reliant: Daily Living Skills, Self-Care, Employment, Education, Healthcare, Housing, Banking & Budgeting, and Transportation.

Bair has taken the essential steps to provide additional opportunities to further increase the probability of a successful transition. Through their vehicle program (Paul Smith Independent Living Fund), which provides matching funds up to $1,000, youth have been given the incentive and ability to achieve transportation that is vital to their independence. Bair’s renewable scholarship fund (Edward B. Massey Scholarship Fund) that is based on need and available to every Bair high school senior, has enabled their youth to achieve their goals and dreams of attending a college, university or trade school. Also provided to the scholarship recipients are monthly care packages, mentoring, and continued guidance while attending school.

Learn More

The Phased IN Project currently has campuses in Wichita Falls and Dallas TX and is a transitional living program for emancipated foster youth. The goal of Phased IN is to assist these young adults in learning basic life skills that will prepare them for independent living. Phased IN will provide housing, education, medical care and life skills training through an 18-month program. With the combined partnership of the church, the community, and the State of Texas, Phased IN will embrace these youth who were never adopted to ensure that these young adults achieve self-sufficiency and stability. Finally, Phased IN will provide the most vital and missing dynamic in the lives of these young adults – Family.

Learn More

Olive Crest works throughout Los Angeles, Nevada, Orange County, San Diego, Pacific Northwest, Inland Empire & Desert Communities to prevent child abuse, treat and educate at-risk children, and to preserving the family. In Orange County and San Diego they have a Project Independence Initiative which focuses on a Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP) that provides foster youth 15-24 years of age with the support and training necessary to become independent and successful adults. Whether in foster care, group homes, transitional housing, or living on their own, Project Independence creates a personal relationship-based plan designed for each youth’s specific needs. Olive Crest also has a Transitional Housing Placement Program + Foster Care (THP+FC) program which provides housing and support to youth ages 16-18 whose only option as they approach adulthood is living independently. Olive Crest also has a Transitional Housing Placement Program Plus (THP+) which specifically targets emancipated youth ages 18-24.

Learn More

Agape International Ministries is currently ministering to orphans in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. They not only encourage other Christians to serve orphans but they also give them an opportunity to participate and each orphans life. Agape helps to place orphans with Christian families, whom they can live with and grow with; as well as they support Adaption Centers that are homes for orphan graduates (aged out orphans) where they have a home and a place where they are part of a family.

Agape is also working in 9 trade schools across Ukraine where they teach a special program that was specifically created to help reach teens. Through the program they are providing intensive education in communication skills, good manners, finance management, etc.

Learn More

4KIDS, located in South Florida created the Spirit of Success Institute (SOSI), which was born out of the desire to build community and offer real resources for success to young adults. 4KIDS Spirit of Success Institute (SOSI) exists to guide young men and women as they transition out of foster care and into independence. SOSI offers a 2-year Transitional Independent Living residential program.

Since its start in 2005, SOSI has served over 180 residents. Today, SOSI consists of 2 homes for young men and 2 homes for young women in Broward County. Each home consists of 4 residents and 2 Residential Advisors (RA). RA’s are there for guidance, accountability, and community—in fact, some of our RA’s are former SOSI residents!SOSI residents gain confidence to transition into independence through completing their GED or furthering their education, gaining employment skills, as well as completing career development resources and internships, life skills classes, and financial management training. Most importantly, residents develop relationships and connections with staff and volunteers who help guide and mentor them in successful living.

Learn More

Orphan’s Promise based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, works to help orphaned and vulnerable children in 50 countries worldwide. The Orphan’s Promise initiative in Kiev, Ukraine in partnership with a Canada-based organization, LAMb International, has developed a Russian-language curriculum entitled “Life Skills for Youth.” It covers a wide range of life skills training for aging-out orphans, and Orphan’s Promise offers classes in Ukraine that use this curriculum. Orphan’s Promise equips those interested in leading such training. This curriculum covers topics such as: Identity, Social Skills, Health and Hygiene, Love and Sex, Gift of Marriage, Raising Children, Homemaking, Time and Money Management, and Job Skills and Legal Rights.

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Key Area Case Studies

Spiritual Care & Mentoring

In order to provide Biblical training, Lifesong hires national Christians who work in several government-run orphanages on a full-time basis. In each orphanage, Lifesong renovates a room supplied with books, games, and videos where children can come to learn in a comfortable and safe environment. Appropriately, these rooms are titled ‘room of hope and trust’.

This Constant Christian Presence (CCP) program provides mentorship and discipleship, improved living conditions, one-on-one counseling, group Bible study, job skills training, music lessons, and computer skills training.

Graduate Program: To transition successfully into adult life, graduates need the support and accountability a church family provides. Lifesong provides transitional housing and encourages lasting relationships with weekly Bible studies, counseling, and transportation to church activities. This program also provides unique opportunities for mentoring.

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In the countries we serve, children age out of orphanages long before they are ready to transition to independent living. Back2Back invites children who are on the brink of aging out of a children’s home to participate in the Hope Program, a Christian residential family-style care program for orphans and vulnerable children. Living in a family-style setting with house parents, students are mentored spiritually, supported through scholarships and tutoring, and encouraged to finish high school and college. They have regular appointments with a licensed counselor and work through their history and past trauma both in individualized and group counseling sessions. The Hope Program is a critical alternative for teenagers who would otherwise have limited options.

Learn More

The Phased IN Project currently has campuses in Wichita Falls and Dallas TX and is a transitional living program for emancipated foster youth. The goal of Phased IN is to assist these young adults in learning basic life skills that will prepare them for independent living. Phased IN will provide housing, education, medical care and life skills training through an 18-month program. With the combined partnership of the church, the community, and the State of Texas, Phased IN will embrace these youth who were never adopted to ensure that these young adults achieve self-sufficiency and stability. Finally, Phased IN will provide the most vital and missing dynamic in the lives of these young adults – Family.

Learn More

Fishhook International, based in Lexington, Kentucky, is building support for work in India to care for widows and orphans, to mentor and train leaders and to launch sustainable community development initiatives.

Amongst many initiatives one that stands out is The Girls Restoration Initiative, which provides life skills to young women who are in an extremely vulnerable situation in the slums of Kolkata. The program provides training to 20 girls at a time train either in computer skills or tailoring. Each girl goes to the training center for a half day every day for one year to complete the program; at the end of the year they are equipped to land a job and provide for themselves and their families.

The Home for Girls in Bangalore is another ministry that provides vocational training and a loving residential environment for teenage girls. Not only do the girls develop a life skill they can use to support themselves financially, but they also receive Biblical counseling and mentoring. Many of them have suffered emotional trauma and mental distress because of the past circumstances they have endured. The goal of the ministry is to help them find healing and wholeness in the Lord as well as a vocational skill so that they live as healthy women who can raise healthy families of their own.

Learn More

Teen Leadership Foundation (TLF) is a nationwide organization with a mission to build and/or expand outreach in the Church to transitional age foster youth. TLF bridges the gap of a protective government with a proactive Church. TLF has created at unique model that many Church’s and faith-based non-profits have adopted.

  • Programs – TLF equips the church to provide leadership, community, relationship, and education for teens in foster care – through tools such as Leadership Camps, Youth Groups, Mentorship and Independent Living Skills.
  • Resources – TLF has a comprehensive guide for church leaders to bring their teen programs to the local community.
  • The Launch Pad (TLP) –  A family based housing community designed to be a safe runway as emancipated youth soar to true freedom

Learn More

4KIDS, located in South Florida created the Spirit of Success Institute (SOSI), which was born out of the desire to build community and offer real resources for success to young adults. 4KIDS Spirit of Success Institute (SOSI) exists to guide young men and women as they transition out of foster care and into independence. SOSI offers a 2-year Transitional Independent Living residential program.

Since its start in 2005, SOSI has served over 180 residents. Today, SOSI consists of 2 homes for young men and 2 homes for young women in Broward County. Each home consists of 4 residents and 2 Residential Advisors (RA). RA’s are there for guidance, accountability, and community—in fact, some of our RA’s are former SOSI residents!SOSI residents gain confidence to transition into independence through completing their GED or furthering their education, gaining employment skills, as well as completing career development resources and internships, life skills classes, and financial management training. Most importantly, residents develop relationships and connections with staff and volunteers who help guide and mentor them in successful living.

Learn More

Teen Leadership Foundation is a national network mobilizing and equipping people to support foster teens. This organization offers support and guidance for teens prior to being “aged-out” of the foster care system. Their programs provide avenues in which the teens can enter the adult world having a support basis surrounding them. Their programs offer faith, hope and avenues for success. Teen Leadership Foundation is now offering a new e-booklet, Teen Leadership Solution, explaining more about their program of spiritual care and mentoring and more.

Learn More

Key Area Case Studies

Transitional Housing

The Phased IN Project currently has campuses in Wichita Falls and Dallas TX and is a transitional living program for emancipated foster youth. The goal of Phased IN is to assist these young adults in learning basic life skills that will prepare them for independent living. Phased IN will provide housing, education, medical care and life skills training through an 18-month program. With the combined partnership of the church, the community, and the State of Texas, Phased IN will embrace these youth who were never adopted to ensure that these young adults achieve self-sufficiency and stability. Finally, Phased IN will provide the most vital and missing dynamic in the lives of these young adults – Family.

Learn More

Safe Pastures Family Home (SPFH) is located in Cincinnati OH and offers a safe place where women who have aged out of foster care or who have been orphaned by critical care systems can begin to move toward self-sufficiency through post-secondary education. This can be done in the form of a licensure, a certificate program or a full on degree program at a local university or college. SPFH is a low cost family style home, where a woman can live while she pursues her educational and personal goals.

Learn More

Agape International Ministries is currently ministering to orphans in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. They not only encourage other Christians to serve orphans but they also give them an opportunity to participate and each orphans life. Agape helps to place orphans with Christian families, whom they can live with and grow with; as well as they support Adaption Centers that are homes for orphan graduates (aged out orphans) where they have a home and a place where they are part of a family.

Agape is also working in 9 trade schools across Ukraine where they teach a special program that was specifically created to help reach teens. Through the program they are providing intensive education in communication skills, good manners, finance management, etc.

Learn More

Ukrainian orphans face a frightening life transition when they leave the orphanage to enter trade school at age 16. The dormitories of these schools are often fraught with crime, drugs, alcohol, and despair. Without love and guidance, many kids fall through the cracks and make poor, sometimes deadly, choices.

That’s why Heart for Orphans shares Christ through small, family-style group Christian group homes where young people learn to live with love, respect and dignity. Heart for Orphans currently has six transitional homes in Ukraine, and plans to open two more in 2013. Each home has mature Christian house parents who love and disciple teenagers. Heart for Orphans believes that what these children need is a family, with strong relationships. Under the guidance of these house parents, Ukrainian orphans learn to put Christ first in life and to live together in community.

Learn More

Fishhook International, based in Lexington, Kentucky, is building support for work in India to care for widows and orphans, to mentor and train leaders and to launch sustainable community development initiatives.

Amongst many initiatives one that stands out is The Girls Restoration Initiative, which provides life skills to young women who are in an extremely vulnerable situation in the slums of Kolkata. The program provides training to 20 girls at a time train either in computer skills or tailoring. Each girl goes to the training center for a half day every day for one year to complete the program; at the end of the year they are equipped to land a job and provide for themselves and their families.

The Home for Girls in Bangalore is another ministry that provides vocational training and a loving residential environment for teenage girls. Not only do the girls develop a life skill they can use to support themselves financially, but they also receive Biblical counseling and mentoring. Many of them have suffered emotional trauma and mental distress because of the past circumstances they have endured. The goal of the ministry is to help them find healing and wholeness in the Lord as well as a vocational skill so that they live as healthy women who can raise healthy families of their own.

Learn More

In the countries we serve, children age out of orphanages long before they are ready to transition to independent living. Back2Back invites children who are on the brink of aging out of a children’s home to participate in the Hope Program, a Christian residential family-style care program for orphans and vulnerable children. Living in a family-style setting with house parents, students are mentored spiritually, supported through scholarships and tutoring, and encouraged to finish high school and college. They have regular appointments with a licensed counselor and work through their history and past trauma both in individualized and group counseling sessions. The Hope Program is a critical alternative for teenagers who would otherwise have limited options.

Learn More

Ukraine Orphan Outreach has a heart for Ukraine and the aging out orphan. The House of Grace is a family centered living for graduate orphan boys. There are currently seven teenage boys living at the House of Grace with their house parents, Maxim and Lena. Ukraine Orphan Outreach also has a home for graduate orphaned girls call The House of Hope. Agape Ministries has partnered with Ukraine Orphan Outreach in order to keep the House of Hope fully funded and supported. The House of Hope currently houses 5 young ladies living there with a house mom.

Learn More

The Bair Foundation serves children & families throughout Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Their goal is to provide Christ-centered, quality care and services dedicated to the treatment, restoration and empowerment of children, youth and families.

The Bair Foundation has a focus on Independent Living – as they see the vital need for these youth who are aging out to have the skills and education needed prior to transitioning into adulthood. The Bair Foundation improves the outcomes for older youth by providing training & focusing on the following areas necessary to become self-reliant: Daily Living Skills, Self-Care, Employment, Education, Healthcare, Housing, Banking & Budgeting, and Transportation.

Bair has taken the essential steps to provide additional opportunities to further increase the probability of a successful transition. Through their vehicle program (Paul Smith Independent Living Fund), which provides matching funds up to $1,000, youth have been given the incentive and ability to achieve transportation that is vital to their independence. Bair’s renewable scholarship fund (Edward B. Massey Scholarship Fund) that is based on need and available to every Bair high school senior, has enabled their youth to achieve their goals and dreams of attending a college, university or trade school. Also provided to the scholarship recipients are monthly care packages, mentoring, and continued guidance while attending school.

Learn More

Jeremiah House (Tokmok, Krgyzstan) is part of a three-part LAMb International project focused on demonstrating to local authorities how youth can benefit from help when they graduate from orphanages without support – from 14-years-of-age on.

Jeremiah House offers these youth a safe home with a caring adult. They receive mentoring, life skills, work opportunities, counseling, guidance for education, provision for medical needs and more. Youth coming to Jeremiah House are not yet ready to live independently, so the project is broken into the following parts:

  • Jeremiah Drop-in Center – where youth can come for help, emergency food, referral services and counseling.
  • Jeremiah House – as noted above.
  • Jeremiah Steps – an apartment the youth can rent from LAMb International and be assigned a mentor. Youth in the Jeremiah Steps program have demonstrated ability to live interdependently, keep a job and/or continue with their higher education.

Learn More

Teen Leadership Foundation (TLF) is a nationwide organization with a mission to build and/or expand outreach in the Church to transitional age foster youth. TLF bridges the gap of a protective government with a proactive Church. TLF has created at unique model that many Church’s and faith-based non-profits have adopted.

  • Programs – TLF equips the church to provide leadership, community, relationship, and education for teens in foster care – through tools such as Leadership Camps, Youth Groups, Mentorship and Independent Living Skills.
  • Resources – TLF has a comprehensive guide for church leaders to bring their teen programs to the local community.
  • The Launch Pad (TLP) –  A family based housing community designed to be a safe runway as emancipated youth soar to true freedom

Learn More

Livada’s Mentor Apartment Program, based in Tirgu Mures, Romania, gives a helping hand to prepare “near graduates” from state orphanages for life after the system by bringing them into apartments with 2-3 other young adults.

Each apartment has a mentor who helps teach life skills, provides accountability, helps oversee the budget, assists them in meeting educational potential and in the finding employment, as well as encouraging movement toward independent life and investing in the spiritual and social development of these young people.

Learn More

Olive Crest works throughout Los Angeles, Nevada, Orange County, San Diego, Pacific Northwest, Inland Empire & Desert Communities to prevent child abuse, treat and educate at-risk children, and to preserving the family. In Orange County and San Diego they have a Project Independence Initiative which focuses on a Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP) that provides foster youth 15-24 years of age with the support and training necessary to become independent and successful adults. Whether in foster care, group homes, transitional housing, or living on their own, Project Independence creates a personal relationship-based plan designed for each youth’s specific needs. Olive Crest also has a Transitional Housing Placement Program + Foster Care (THP+FC) program which provides housing and support to youth ages 16-18 whose only option as they approach adulthood is living independently. Olive Crest also has a Transitional Housing Placement Program Plus (THP+) which specifically targets emancipated youth ages 18-24.

Learn More

LOCO Ministries exists to serve the orphans of Mexico. We do this by connecting individuals, teams, businesses, professionals, and churches in the United States and Mexico to care for the fatherless. LOCO Ministries is committed to Living Out Christian Obedience by defending the cause of the fatherless.

We believe God has a plan for every child. Through LOCO’s Revive program we focus on teens and young adults who are aging out of the orphan system. They are often overlooked and have no hope for a brighter future. With an emphasis on family based transitional living, Revive provides high school and/or college education, counseling, housing, and meals all centered around family based care in order to raise up strong, committed Christians who will become independent and will make a difference in their community, country and world. The students in Revive are learning, growing, changing, and taking ownership of their lives to break the destructive generational cycles from their past.

Learn More

4KIDS, located in South Florida created the Spirit of Success Institute (SOSI), which was born out of the desire to build community and offer real resources for success to young adults. 4KIDS Spirit of Success Institute (SOSI) exists to guide young men and women as they transition out of foster care and into independence. SOSI offers a 2-year Transitional Independent Living residential program.

Since its start in 2005, SOSI has served over 180 residents. Today, SOSI consists of 2 homes for young men and 2 homes for young women in Broward County. Each home consists of 4 residents and 2 Residential Advisors (RA). RA’s are there for guidance, accountability, and community—in fact, some of our RA’s are former SOSI residents!SOSI residents gain confidence to transition into independence through completing their GED or furthering their education, gaining employment skills, as well as completing career development resources and internships, life skills classes, and financial management training. Most importantly, residents develop relationships and connections with staff and volunteers who help guide and mentor them in successful living.

Learn More

Hands and Feet Project is based in Haiti and strives to provide family-style, residential care and sustainable solutions to fight against Haiti’s orphan crisis. H&F strives to serve each child in four areas of need: physical, educational, emotional, and spiritual.

Hands and Feet’s model of hope is through operating Children’s Villages with multiple family-style homes lead by Haitian House Mothers. At the age of 18 every child has the option of leaving the campus as an adult, or they can stay at one of their Transitional Care Villages until they are 22. The children who enter into the transition program enter into a contractual agreement regarding their behavior and work/study requirement. Children will have the opportunity to work in an apprenticeship and develop a career for their bright futures.

Learn More

Children’s Shelter of Cebu (CSC), located in the Philippines, is designed to assist young aged-out orphans with the transition into adulthood. This organization operates a Teen Home – The Wally Johnson Teen Home – which exists to serve young people who, for a variety of reasons, will not be adopted. At the teen home, each young adult is able to continue their education as they are being prepared for entry into mainstream Philippine life. Each teen is either in high school, trade school, college, or is beginning their career.

Some of the young adults have special needs, so they take longer to complete their education. One of the young ladies in the program is blind and is finishing her education in the hope of teaching music to blind children. Another resident just completed training to be a chef and is looking for employment within the Philippines. CSC helps these individuals seek jobs and transition into independent living when they are ready. The residents are led through this journey by house parents who mentor them spiritually as well. The teens do not move out until they are ready to; Children’s Shelter of Cebu maintains no arbitrary age maximums.

Learn More

Key Area Case Studies

Career Development

Fishhook International, based in Lexington, Kentucky, is building support for work in India to care for widows and orphans, to mentor and train leaders and to launch sustainable community development initiatives.

Amongst many initiatives one that stands out is The Girls Restoration Initiative, which provides life skills to young women who are in an extremely vulnerable situation in the slums of Kolkata. The program provides training to 20 girls at a time train either in computer skills or tailoring. Each girl goes to the training center for a half day every day for one year to complete the program; at the end of the year they are equipped to land a job and provide for themselves and their families.

The Home for Girls in Bangalore is another ministry that provides vocational training and a loving residential environment for teenage girls. Not only do the girls develop a life skill they can use to support themselves financially, but they also receive Biblical counseling and mentoring. Many of them have suffered emotional trauma and mental distress because of the past circumstances they have endured. The goal of the ministry is to help them find healing and wholeness in the Lord as well as a vocational skill so that they live as healthy women who can raise healthy families of their own.

Learn More

The Global Orphan Project exists to expand the capacity of the churches from Kansas City to Kampala to care for children and families in crisis. GO Project’s ministry focuses on orphan care, orphan prevention, and transition. With respect to transition, when children age-out in Haiti, they are able to then attend the GO Transition Academy – which is a two-year Job and Life Skills Development Program with a central emphasis on Biblical character development.

The GO Transition Academy provides hands-on job skills development through three skills-based programs: Agriculture, Apparel Production, and Diesel Mechanic/Driving School, Life Skills, and Character Development.

Learn More

  • Visit The GO Project Website
  • Email Jake Barreth, Director of International Orphan Care
  • Email Ryan Hudnall, Director of Engagement

Lifesong for Orphans does job training, and encourages entrepreneurship and sustainable business development among aging-out orphans and for families providing orphan care. One great example is Andrei and Sergey’s story of how they created a plant nursery with the knowledge and skills they had received.

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Harvesters Reaching the Nations currently have two locations in South Sudan where they serve those in need by providing food, clothing, shelter, discipleship, education, and health care to orphans and vulnerable women.

Their Education Program is focused on providing their orphans and kids from the community with primary level education. Upon completion of their Primary School program, teachers and advisors evaluate students to determine which education path they will continue on. Some students will continue on to Secondary School and University, for other students with different skill sets they will attend a Vocational School – the Joshua & Esther Vocational Training Center on the Yei campus – which will provide opportunities for each student to learn specialized skill-sets applicable within the South Sudanese culture.

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Orphan Helpers exists to serve and minister to the physical, spiritual, emotional and educational needs of orphaned, abused and incarcerated children by effectively partnering with individuals, businesses, churches, organizations and governments. Orphan Helpers educates and trains more than 800 children and youth daily in Central American, government-owned and operated orphanages and detention centers. Orphan Helpers employs in-country staff who are teachers, caregivers and counselors, providing grade-school classes, PC literacy, vocational skills, and English as a second language. Vocational training programs include cosmetology, sewing, woodworking, and jewelry and small goods production.

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VisionTrust serves Asia, Africa, and the United States by partnering with local leaders; each of these local leaders were already working with impoverished children in their communities, but lacked the resources necessary to make a deeper impact.

In April 2015 VisionTrust reached a significant milestone having 21 orphans graduate from their vocational training program in Bangui, Central African Republic. The training began as a solution for older students in the VisionTrust program who were struggling to receive their high school diploma – thus the vocational training program was born. The girls participate in sewing class, the guys participate in carpentry training, and together they were taught about small business principles. Upon completion of the course and receiving their Certificate of Completion each student was given supplies to being earning a living – the ladies received hand-crank sewing machines and the guys received a set of hand tools and fund for initial carpentry materials.

Learn More

  • Visit the VisionTrust Website
  • Email Eric Scheberl, Director of International Child Development

Pure & Faultless works throughout Haiti, Rwanda, Uganda, Ukraine, and the United States to connect the passions of professionals in developing countries with the resources and passions of believers in the United States. Each country has a specific focus and/or project where they are reaching the vulnerable around the world.

In Ukraine, Pure & Faultless is in partnership with Last Bell Ministries for The Restoration Project. This specific project teaches former orphans who have aged out of the system vocational skills, provides training and consistent income for young men to participate on their construction crew, and provides shelter for former orphanage residents and their young families.

Learn More

LOCO Ministries exists to serve the orphans of Mexico. We do this by connecting individuals, teams, businesses, professionals, and churches in the United States and Mexico to care for the fatherless. LOCO Ministries is committed to Living Out Christian Obedience by defending the cause of the fatherless.

We believe God has a plan for every child. Through LOCO’s Revive program we focus on teens and young adults who are aging out of the orphan system. They are often overlooked and have no hope for a brighter future. With an emphasis on family based transitional living, Revive provides high school and/or college education, counseling, housing, and meals all centered around family based care in order to raise up strong, committed Christians who will become independent and will make a difference in their community, country and world. The students in Revive are learning, growing, changing, and taking ownership of their lives to break the destructive generational cycles from their past.

Learn More

Hope Unlimited provides care and much more, including vocational training, for former street children and orphans in Campinas, Brazil. Hope helps young people in their care to transition successfully to life as adults, and is creating the “Hope Institute,” to train other organizations that that desire to replicate their model.

Hope Unlimited’s young men and women train in a wide range of professional trades/skills, dependent upon local market needs. They also intern with local businesses for a year and live at a transition home for six months. Upon graduation (around the age of 18) each Hope student is guaranteed a job and is given ongoing support through the Graduate Center. Each graduate receives basic household furnishings and a complete set of tools for the trade he or she has learned. In the 20 years since Hope was founded, more than 1,000 children have gone through its program.

Two years after graduating from the program some 80 percent of graduates are employed. Nearly 70 percent are in stable living situations, and involved in the church.

Learn More

4KIDS, located in South Florida created the Spirit of Success Institute (SOSI), which was born out of the desire to build community and offer real resources for success to young adults. 4KIDS Spirit of Success Institute (SOSI) exists to guide young men and women as they transition out of foster care and into independence. SOSI offers a 2-year Transitional Independent Living residential program.

Since its start in 2005, SOSI has served over 180 residents. Today, SOSI consists of 2 homes for young men and 2 homes for young women in Broward County. Each home consists of 4 residents and 2 Residential Advisors (RA). RA’s are there for guidance, accountability, and community—in fact, some of our RA’s are former SOSI residents!SOSI residents gain confidence to transition into independence through completing their GED or furthering their education, gaining employment skills, as well as completing career development resources and internships, life skills classes, and financial management training. Most importantly, residents develop relationships and connections with staff and volunteers who help guide and mentor them in successful living.

Learn More

Orphan Relief and Rescue (ORR) was founded in 2007 in respond to the nature and magnitude of violence and neglect of orphaned children in West Africa. Currently ORR is working to stop trafficking of children and to provide furthered education and/or trade skills to children aging out of orphanages.

Orphan Relief and Rescue has partnered with a Hotelerie School on the campus of an orphanage in Benin, which teaches young adults skills relevant to the hotel industry – baking, cooking, catering, hosting events etc. when done with the three years of schooling, the students will be qualified to work in the hotel industry throughout the nation.

Success story – several young adults started a three-year apprenticeship program to learn a trade and receive their high school diploma.

Learn More

Hands and Feet Project is based in Haiti and strives to provide family-style, residential care and sustainable solutions to fight against Haiti’s orphan crisis. H&F strives to serve each child in four areas of need: physical, educational, emotional, and spiritual.

Hands and Feet’s model of hope is through operating Children’s Villages with multiple family-style homes lead by Haitian House Mothers. At the age of 18 every child has the option of leaving the campus as an adult, or they can stay at one of their Transitional Care Villages until they are 22. The children who enter into the transition program enter into a contractual agreement regarding their behavior and work/study requirement. Children will have the opportunity to work in an apprenticeship and develop a career for their bright futures.

Learn More

The Bair Foundation serves children & families throughout Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Their goal is to provide Christ-centered, quality care and services dedicated to the treatment, restoration and empowerment of children, youth and families.

The Bair Foundation has a focus on Independent Living – as they see the vital need for these youth who are aging out to have the skills and education needed prior to transitioning into adulthood. The Bair Foundation improves the outcomes for older youth by providing training & focusing on the following areas necessary to become self-reliant: Daily Living Skills, Self-Care, Employment, Education, Healthcare, Housing, Banking & Budgeting, and Transportation.

Bair has taken the essential steps to provide additional opportunities to further increase the probability of a successful transition. Through their vehicle program (Paul Smith Independent Living Fund), which provides matching funds up to $1,000, youth have been given the incentive and ability to achieve transportation that is vital to their independence. Bair’s renewable scholarship fund (Edward B. Massey Scholarship Fund) that is based on need and available to every Bair high school senior, has enabled their youth to achieve their goals and dreams of attending a college, university or trade school. Also provided to the scholarship recipients are monthly care packages, mentoring, and continued guidance while attending school.

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Key Area Case Studies

Church & Community Support

Orphan Care Alliance in Louisville, Kentucky brings churches and Christians together in Kentucky and southern Indiana to impact the lives of aging-out foster kids in various ways including offering life coaching support. Christian leaders from local churches take on roles such as case manager, life coaches, “Career Connect” business partners (a ministry of Orphan Care Alliance, designed to help match foster care youth, ages 16-21, with an employer who will provide them an opportunity to learn a trade), featured speakers for life coaching events, life coaching professionals for particular youth needs and more.

The Alliance has been working with the State Government and private child care providers in reaching out to those kids in institutional living and foster care as early in their teen age years as possible.

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Teen Leadership Foundation (TLF) is a nationwide organization with a mission to build and/or expand outreach in the Church to transitional age foster youth. TLF bridges the gap of a protective government with a proactive Church. TLF has created at unique model that many Church’s and faith-based non-profits have adopted.

  • Programs – TLF equips the church to provide leadership, community, relationship, and education for teens in foster care – through tools such as Leadership Camps, Youth Groups, Mentorship and Independent Living Skills.
  • Resources – TLF has a comprehensive guide for church leaders to bring their teen programs to the local community.
  • The Launch Pad (TLP) –  A family based housing community designed to be a safe runway as emancipated youth soar to true freedom

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Established in 1993, World Orphans has worked to help churches rescue and care for orphans in almost 50 countries. In the first 13 years of ministry, World Orphans helped churches around the world build almost 500 children’s homes. In 2006 World Orphans transitioned to a more holistic approach to orphan care, engaging local churches around the world in the prevention and delay of orphans as well as residential care. Today World Orphans is passionately committed to partnering churches in the US with churches around the world to meet the needs of orphaned and vulnerable children in a holistic way.

Some of those in-country church partnerships include residential care: Built on church property, these homes house 8-12 children who are cared for by a couple from the church. More than just a temporary solution, these adults have made a lifelong commitment to welcome the children into this new family. As well as transition homes: In some key strategic cities, World Orphans church partners operate transition homes for older street children or children aging out of institutional, often government-run, orphanages.

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Note: The case study models highlighted focus on only one aspect of the broader, holistic approach to supporting aging-out orphans taken by the profiled organizations.

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