Wings of Hope Foundation

02/12/2025

Recent research found that receiving consistent support from caring adults plays a significant role in aging-out youth successfully transitioning to living independently. Young adults aging out of foster care are more likely to lack help from family, friends, and others who can help them with basic skills like opening a bank account, creating a resume, or completing financial aid forms for college.

It’s hard to start living on your own after turning 18 and aging out of foster care.

01/22/2025

Once an aged-out young man who slept in his car and showered in a Planet Fitness, Tallahassee’s Michael Williams recently was recognized in Forbes Magazine as an “upstart entrepreneur” for his work to help today’s at-risk young people.

“I want people to see this and say, ‘Hey, that young man was raised in foster care, came from the bottom, and if he can do it, I can do it,’” Williams said.

Michael Williams' mission to encourage and empower young people aging out of foster care landed him on the pages of Forbes Magazine.

01/08/2025

Approximately 1,000 Florida youths age out of foster care each year and lack the resources to transition effectively to independent living. Transitional housing programs are a "vital lifeline" for many.

"This is a population of youth who don’t have anyone to call on,” said Shavon Saint Preux, founder of the Saint House in Miami.

12/25/2024

Wings of Hope thanks you for your continuous support and sends our warmest wishes for a joyful Christmas!

12/11/2024

"When you have somebody that is struggling and really just needs a couple steps forward, it’s going to make a long-term difference," said Kaley De Jesus, development coordinator.

Refuge of Hope Independent Living Inc. provides resources for young adults who aged out of foster care and became homeless.

11/26/2024

A new Wings of Hope partnership will bring "exciting ideas and goals for helping more at-risk youth, taking advantage of new government initiatives and renewing marketing efforts to increase awareness of Wings of Hope’s work in the community."

11/20/2024

The FosterPower app, created by a Tampa attorney, gives foster and aging-out youth information to help them understand their rights and the help available to them. The app creator plans to continue to spread the word about the app, add sections on immigration and human trafficking, and expand the resource to other states.

Taylor Sartor takes an innovative approach to helping young people in the foster care system know their rights.

11/15/2024

Happy Birthday, Brian! Your giving spirit has made a difference in the lives of so many. You are loved and missed every day.

11/07/2024

“When I first started sharing,” said Kathrell Hicks, a former foster young woman from Florida, “I was surprised at how many people had been in the system.”

Hicks and Thompkins are doing God’s work—providing tried, true, and critical advice to ease the transition to independent living and highlighting the urgent need for systemic support.

10/23/2024

The National Science Foundation awarded nearly $1 million to a new Florida Tech program that will provide opportunities for aging-out young people from Brevard, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. Participants will develop skills to prepare them for jobs or further education in STEM professions.

Dozens of young people who are aging out of foster care will be taught critical skills in advanced manufacturing and microelectronics.

10/09/2024

A recent podcast focused on how child welfare leaders can help young people who are aging out of foster care. An often-overlooked need is to nurture their sense of belonging through family and connections within their community. You can read more about the podcast and access the link to listen at https://www.aecf.org/blog/podcast-explores-support-for-older-youth-leaving-foster-care

09/25/2024

A hand up enables at-risk young people like Sherly to develop the skills to meet their goals. Congratulations to Sherly on this huge step in the transition to living independently!

BIG NEWS: Sherly bought her own car! She has been diligently working to save money to obtain her own transportation for work. We are extremely proud of her! This is a true testament to what having a plan - and executing that plan - looks like. Congratulations Sherly!

thefainehouse.org |

09/11/2024

“You wouldn’t realize, until you work with this population, how much support they need,” says Ray Gaines, director of The Faine House, an organization Wings of Hope supports. “They don’t know what they don’t know. We assume that when they come in here, they’re going to get a job, go to school, when their whole life has been turmoil.”

Imagine turning 18 and immediately becoming homeless.

08/28/2024

Florida’s “Improving Outcomes for Youth from Foster Care” law, which took effect in July, is “a moral commitment to ensure no young person feels abandoned at the critical juncture of becoming an independent adult,” said Representative Chase Tramont. “It is our hope and belief that these aftercare services will empower them to achieve not just stability, but success in their lives ahead.”

Senate Bill 564, also known as “Improving Outcomes for Youth from Foster Care,” was recently signed by Governor DeSantis and will provide youth in Florida’s foster care system with more support as they become adults. This important legislation is the result of advocacy by Florida Youth SHINE and Florida's Children First. Dive deeper into the journey behind this significant legislative milestone and its profound impact here: https://okt.to/mSGDMB

08/14/2024

Having a support system — adults who can provide guidance on life skills — helps to put at-risk young people on a path to success. Wings of Hope proudly supports organizations that provide life-skills mentoring and other resources that prepare young people who are aging out of foster care to thrive. You can read more about what Wings does at wingsofhope.net.

07/30/2024

Developing financial literacy is vital to putting young people aging out of foster care on a path to independence. Wings of Hope supports organizations that teach these life skills to at-risk young people. Learn more about Wings of Hope at WingsOfHope.net

07/10/2024

Life skills, including how to manage finances, are vital to helping young people who are aging out of foster care become independent. Wings of Hope supports organizations that teach these skills to at-risk youth. Learn more at WingsOfHope.net.

06/26/2024

Supporting organizations that provide resources to help young people who are aging out of foster care is what Wings of Hope does. To learn more about what we do, visit WingsOfHope.net.