Resource Network

NFYI – NATIONAL FOSTER YOUTH INSTITUTE

LA BASED | www.nfyi.org | 213-221-1176

Monthly Meetings to discuss and empower foster youth in social change! Meetings include food and activities such as: Self Love Poetry Bar, Paint to Release, etc.

Examples of wishes include:

Current and former foster youth, relative care givers, TAY ages 17-29.

How do I enroll?

Email Kenneth Chancey, West Coast Policy and Organizing Manager, at kenneth.chancey@nyfi.org for the next meeting!

iFOSTER

www.ifoster.org

Online access center for current and former foster youth.

Website: onesimplewish.org/giving/asohwishes

Eligibility:

• 16-24
• Current/Former foster youth

iFoster provides:

• Digital Locker (Cloud-based for your documents!)
• Free Cell Phone (ages 13-26)
• Discounted Products
• Office Depot Discount (15%-80%)
• Laptop Computer with Microsoft Windows (6-24)
• Online Computer Programming Lessons via Code Academy

How do I enroll?

Visit www.iFoster.org and sign up for a membership. Approval takes 1-2 business days. Then gain access to ALL resources listed above!

EXTENDED FOSTER CARE

323-859-4000

Children’s Law Center

Eligibility for extended foster care:

• Age 18-21
• In foster care at 18, not adopted or did not have legal guardianship
• Legal guardian is no longer supporting you or passed away

Think you are eligible?

Call CLC4 at 323-859-4000 or email extendedcare@clcl.org.

LOS ANGELES REGIONAL FOOD BANK

323-234-3030 | www.lafoodbank.org

LA Food Bank distributes food and other essentials to children, seniors, families and other
individuals in need.

Eligibility:

Some Food Banks ask for ID requesting georgraphical location.

How do I enroll?

Visit www.lafoodbank.org, type in zip code for pantry agencies, locations, and times. Some locations do not need documentation, some require applications.

Their database can be outdated, please call and check.
https://www.lafoodbank.org/find-food/pantry-locator/

CALFRESH

310-258-7400 | www.getcalfresh.org/en/apply

CalFresh is for people with low-income who meet federal income eligibility rules and want to add to their budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table.

Eligibility:

• Limited Income
• Limited Property
• Households can be as small as one person. You do not need a home to receive CalFresh.
• Have a Social Security number

How do I enroll?

Visit www.getcalfresh.org/en/apply, fill out application.

FRIENDS OF LA

213-378-0704 | www.friendsofla.org

Friends of LA provides youth 4-6 with a long-term mentor from kindergarten through graduation. Each child gets a dedicated, one-on-one Friend who will spend a minimum of 16 intentional hours per month with them. They develop a road map for each child, design activities to build life skills, and create meaningful experiences to explore each child’s unique talents and interests.

Eligibility:

• Former Foster Youth with a child between ages 4-6
• Live within SPA 4, 6, and 8 (limited)

How do I enroll?

If you fit the criteria, email youth@asenseofhome.org.

SOUTH LA HEALTH PROJECTS

310-661-3080 | info@slahp.org | www.slahp.org

WIC Services – 10 different locations in LA County. WIC provides groceries, health screenings. Nutrition and breastfeeding counseling. Immunization screening and referral, substance abuse referral, and more!

Eligibility:

• Pregnant Women
• Mom’s with children under the age of 4
• All foster youth from 0-5
• Low-income home

How do I enroll?

• Call 310-661-3080. Press #1
• Create a file, set up an appointment at an office

SHIELDS FOR FAMILIES

www.shieldsforfamilies.org/community-family-services

SHIELDS’ Welcome Baby Program offers pregnant women and new moms with information, support, and trusted partners to help participants through the journey of pregnancy and early parenthood. Services include: hospital visits, parent coaching, information and support with pre- and post-natal health care, and linkage and referrals to a wide range of supportive services.

Eligibility:

• Pregnant and parenting women and their children ages 0-5
• Free services for those delivering at St. Francis Medical Center, Centinela Hospital, and Martin Luther King Hospital

How do I enroll?

Call the Assessment Center at 323-242-5000. Program Info: 310-900-4724

NATIONAL PARENT HOTLINE FAMILIES

855-427-2736

Being a parent is a critically important job, 24 hours a day. It’s not always easy. Call the National Parent Helpline® to get emotional support from a trained Advocate and become an empowered and stronger parent.

Eligibility:

None

How do I enroll?

Call 855-427-2736, M-F 10AM-7PM

THE EMPORIUM

323-746-5800 | www.emporiumla.org

The Emporium is a storefront that offers transition-age foster youth and young adults basic essentials, career & casual clothing, accessories, toiletries, undergarments, school supplies, and books for free! Can go once every 4 months.

Eligibility:

18-24 Transitional Aged Youth

How do I enroll?

If you fit the criteria, email youth@asenseofhome.org.

IMAGINE LA

323-944-0210 | www.imaginela.org

Imagine LA’s innovative Family Empowerment & Mentorship model combines intensive case management, individualized mentorship, and links to public and private resources.

About:

• Our staff social workers help families to set goals and access resources.
• We recruit, train and guide volunteers as 1:1 mentor for each member of the family over age 5. Each head
  of household is also paired with a financial wellness mentor.
• Using a proprietary curriculum and workbooks, we all work together to lay the groundwork for a family’s
  stability and success in their community. Mentors average between 4-5 hours with their mentees per
  month.
• Our primary service areas are South LA, Mid-City and the San Fernando Valley.
• Our families live in apartments and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) complexes.

Eligibility:

• Families who have experienced homelessness within the last 2 years
• Have at least one child 17 years or younger living in the home OR a pregnant mother in her 34th trimester OR reunifying with a child within 6 months
• Open to welcoming mentors for each family member
• Lives in San Fernando Valley, Central LA, West LA or South LA
• Not working with another ICMS (Intensive Case Management Services)

How do I enroll?

If you fit the criteria, email youth@asenseofhome.org.

STEPPING FORWARD LA

www.steppingforwardla.org

Empowering former foster youth aging out of the system. Stepping Forward meets every first Saturday of the month for lunch, networking, games, mentor matching, and resource referrals.

Eligibility:

Former Foster Youth Ages 14-25

Programs:

• Co-Mentoring
• Transition Program – 8-week program including goal planning, peer mentorship, and panel discussions
• Education – Assistance, Guidance
• Peer Advocacy Program
• First Saturday Meetings (ages 15-23)

How do I enroll?

Fill out the contact form at https://www.steppingforwardla.org/contact.

CALIFORNIA COLLEGE PATHWAYS

www.cacollegepathways.org/help-youth-plan/planning-for-college

How do I enroll?

You don’t! Visit the website for a starting guide on attending college along with tons of resources, laws, and webinars.

ECHOES OF HOPE

Echoes of Hope supports current former foster students. Resources include: textbook support, housing, meal assistance, transportation, graduation expenses and more!

Eligibility:

• Ages 0-30
• Currently enrolled in school

How do I enroll?

If you fit the criteria, email youth@asenseofhome.org.

Enrolling in college?

https://www.ifoster.org/a-deep-dive-into-ifosters-portal-of-resources/

READY TO SUCCEED

424-581-6296 | www.readytosucceedla.org

Ready to Succeed empowers youth impacted by foster care to graduate college, launch successful careers, and reach their full potential.

Eligibility:

• Enrolled at a 4-year college
• Former foster youth
• No age limit

How do I enroll?

Go to website, click Approach and then I’m Ready at the bottom of the page.

FAFSA

www.studentaid.gov

To receive these foster care college grants, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. This application takes your income into consideration to determine how much support you will need to pay for college in the form of grants and loans.

How do I enroll?

Start by applying for FAFSA.

CHAFEE GRANT – CALIFORNIA STUDENT AID COMMISSION

chafee.csac.ca.gov

Eligibility:

• Be a current of former foster youth who was a ward of the court, living in foster care, for at least one day between the ages of 16 and 18.
• If you are/were in Kin-GAP, a non-related legal guardianship, or were adopted, you are eligible only if you were a dependent or ward of the court, living in foster care, for at least one day between the ages of 16 and 18.
• Have not reached your 26th birthday as of July 1 of the award year.
• Have not participated in the program for more than 5 years (whether or not consecutive).
• Must be attending a school that is either a qualifying institution that is eligible for participation in the Cal Grant Program, or an institution that is not located in CA with a 3 year cohort default rate that is less than 15.5% and a graduation rate greater than 30%.

How do I apply?

Apply online at chafee.csac.ca.gov. FAFSA must be completed first.

FEDERAL PELL GRANT

www2.ed.gov/programs/fpg/index

• This grant is a form of federal financial aid available to all students that are U.S. citizens (or eligible non-citizens) and meet certain income and education requirements.
• You can receive up to $6,095 per academic year plus $3,048 if enrolled during the summer. This grant can be used at public or private, two- or four-year universities or colleges in California or out of state.

How do I apply?

Start by applying for FAFSA.

CAL GRANT

www.csac.ca.gov | studentsupport@scac.ca.gov

The Cal Grant is a form of state aid for California residents who attend college in California. Students attending four-year colleges and universities will often receive this grant.

Eligibility:

• Submit the FAFSA or CADAA application and your verified Cal Grant GPA by the deadline.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen or meet AB540 eligibility criteria.
• Must be a California resident for 1 year.
• Attend a qualifying California college.
• Do not have a bachelor’s or professional degree.
• Have financial need at the college of your choice.
• Have family income and assets below the minimum levels.
• Be enrolled or plan to enroll in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate.
• Be enrolled or plan to enroll at least half-time.
• Have registered with the U.S. Selective Service, if required to do so.
• Do not owe a refund on any state or federal grant or be in default on a student loan.
• Are currently not incarcerated.
• Maintain the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards as established by the school. Recipients who do not meet the standards are ineligible for Cal Grant payment and will not use eligibility during the terms they are ineligible for payment.

How do I apply?

Start by applying for FAFSA.

CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROMISE GRANT

home.cccapply.org/money/california-college-promise-grant

California Community College Promise Grant permits enrollment fees to be waived.

How do I apply?

Start by applying for FAFSA.

JVS SOCAL – JOBS. VISION. SUCCESS

323-761-8888 | www.jvs-socal.org

Free Job Training for: Banking, Apartment Maintenance Technicians, Certified Nurse Assistants, and non-clinical positions in healthcare.

Eligibility:

• Is free to eligible applicants
• Requires no more than 8 weeks of intensive training
• Connects graduates with employer-partners for rapid placement
• Provides career guidance and ongoing job retention support

How do I sign up?

Call 323-761-8888, press 1 to talk to Intake Coordinator.

YEAR UP

855-YEARUP1 | yearup.org/apply

Unpaid job training program – Year Up is a one-year intensive training and internship program that prepares young adults for successful careers in information technology and business.

Eligibility:

• 18-24 years old
• High School Graduate or have GED
• Low-Moderate Income
• A US Citizen, Permanent Resident, or have Employment Authorization Card
• Available 5 days per week for the full year of the program
• Highly motivated to learn new technical and professional skills
• Have not obtained a bachelor’s degree

How do I sign up?

Apply here: Yearup.org/apply. Classes begin in January and August. Applications are considered on a rolling basis until class is filled.

CODE TALK

stjosephctr.org/codetalk | Codetalk@StJosephCTR.org

Learning to program computers and build websites – 16-week program. Unpaid.

Eligibility:

• Female
• Low Income

How do I sign up?

Apply online here (App due August/2020).

TENDER GREENS (PAID INTERNSHIP)

tendergreens.com

Sustainable Life Project – Culinary internship program for young adults who’ve grown out of foster care and into new lives on their own. Six-month paid Internship for those interested in the culinary arts.

Eligibility:

Former Foster Youth

How do I sign up?

Application online at tendergreens.com, go to bottom of page and click Sustainable Life Project.

THE RIGHTWAY FOUNDATION

www.therightwayfoundation.org | 323-903-5021

The RightWay Foundation partners with former foster youth to build healthy, stable lives. Programs address past trauma, support successful employment, and promote healing and self-sufficiency in adulthood.

Eligibility:

• 18-24 Current or former foster youth (Once they sign up, they are in for life)
• No location restrictions

How do I enroll?

Call 323-903-5021. First step is intake, then 32-hour readiness training TU-FRI 9:30-5PM. Trainings are set per month.

CHILDREN’S LAW CENTER – PEER ADVOCATE POSITION
(PAID – FULL & PART TIME)

clccal.org

The Peer Advocate will work closely with CLC’s transition age youth (TAY) clients, particularly those youth who are young adults in foster care (known as Non-Minor Dependents “NMD”) and their attorneys, helping to ensure youth have access to the necessary resources and services to prepare for life after foster care. In addition, the Peer Advocate will work directly with our teenage clients outside of the courtroom and in the community, collaborating with a cross sector of child welfare, workforce, educational, and other community and county agencies working with transitioning age youth.

The Peer Advocate will focus on “hard to reach youth” – those who face the most barriers and are at the greatest risk of teen pregnancy and early parenthood, involvement with the criminal justice system, have experienced challenges in reaching educational goals and who lack family support.

Eligibility:

• Former Foster Youth
• 18+
• Clearance of background check
• High School Diploma or GED
• Willingness and ability to travel
• Have a valid CA Driver’s License, reliable automobile, and car insurance
• Excellent Interpersonal Skills
• Interest in law, policy, social work

How do I sign up?

Refer to website and click employment at CLC clccal.org.

COVERED TIL 26

www.coveredtil26.org

Former Foster Youth – FREE Health Care until 26 in CA

Eligibility:

• Were you in foster care in ANY state on your 18th birthday or later?
• Do you live in California now?
• And are you younger than 26?
• Then, YES, you qualify!

How do I sign up?

You can apply anytime! Call Dorian Madrid at 626-313-5503 or Duy Johnson, DPSS, 626-313-5505

ST. ANNE’S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

213-381-2931

Individual therapy for children and adults. (Waiting list sometimes occurs)

Eligibility:

• Anyone. Children and Adults (all genders), all ages
• Have to have MediCal
• Be in their service area (SPA 4)
• Call St. Anne’s and talk to Mental Health Department

How do I enroll?

Call Phone: 213-381-2931, choose #3, and ask about enrolling!

ST. JOHN’S WELL CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES

323-541-1411 | wellchild.org

Los Angeles Preventative health, mental health, and dental services.

Eligibility:

All ages welcome

How do I enroll?

Walk into a St. John’s location. Locations here: www.wellchild.org/find-a-clinic

PACIFIC ASIAN COUNSELING SERVICES

310-337-1550 | prod.pacsla.com

Pacific Asian Counseling Services offers mental health counseling. They are culturally sensitive and has a large language capacity.

Eligibility:

MediCal eligible children and adults

How do I apply?

Call 310-337-1550

CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES ALAFIA MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE

Service/Intake and Administration: 323-293-8771 | www.cihssinc.org

The agency provides mental health services for youth up to age 24 in Los Angeles County.

Eligibility:

• 0-24
• Medi-Cal
• Social Security Number
• SPA 6/8

How do I apply?

Call Maxine for intake: 323-293-8771

ALLIANCE OF CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

213-368-6010 | kids-alliance.org

The Alliance for Children’s Rights provides a vital bridge for young adults as they strive for self-sufficiency.

Eligibility:

Ages 14-24

What do we do?

Young people exiting the foster care or delinquency systems in Los Angeles often face severe challenges in education, employment, and overall well-being. The Alliance works to remove barriers to self-sufficiency, promote self-advocacy, and build a foundation for the future for youth who lack other support systems.

How do we do it?

The Alliance ensures that young adults who are or have been in foster care or on probation and are between 14 and 24 know their legal rights and entitlements. We provide free consultation and legal services including:

• Resolving identity theft
• Addressing credit/collections issues
• Reviewing contracts/leases
• Addressing legal problems resulting from false advertising and marketing schemes
• Clearing juvenile tickets
• Sealing juvenile records
• Appealing SSI denials

The Alliance also provides:

• Access to resources for stable housing
• Education resources
• Access to job training and job placement services
• Help accessing health care
• Mentoring
• Opportunities for youth to become peer advocates through our Young Leaders group

How do I enroll?

Call the Alliance for Children’s Rights at 213-368-6010

PEACE 4 KIDS

www.peace4kids.org

Peace 4 Kids is a non-profit, volunteer supported organization promoting trust, equity, and stability for children in foster care. Former foster youth can volunteer in the program.

How to volunteer?

Contact: Miriam Cortez-Cáceres, Program Director, at miriam@peace4kids.org.

REAL TO REEL – GLOBAL YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL

realtoreelglobal.org | info@betteryouth.org

How to get involved?

Email info@betteryouth.org

211

www.211.org

How do I sign up?

You don’t, but you can access resources through this call line. Call 211 for curated social services. Resources they refer to include, veteran services. Employment opportunities, disaster relief, shelter, housing, and utilities assistance, health care, vaccination, addition prevention, rehab programs, support groups, domestic abuse, etc.

Opportunity Youth Collaborative (OYC)

www.laoyc.org

L.A. Opportunity Youth Collaborative Database of programs and services for transition age foster youth in the central LA.

How to enroll?

You don’t, but you can learn about existing programs and an array of services!