P.A.G.E. Programs and Project Launch

Project Launch Pad

Annually 600 youth age out of foster care in Maricopa County and 28 in the Tallahassee, FL area with limited support. Many of these youth are disconnected from traditional support networks of parents, siblings, extended family and family friends. As a result, these youth are more likely to experience high rates of homelessness, incarceration and unemployment. 50% of fosters drop out of high school. 50% of young women previously in foster care will become pregnant by age 19. 1% of former fosters earn a college degree. Youth World Education Project is on a mission to reduce the number of disconnected youth by providing these young adults with the basic essentials needed to help launch them from childhood into adulthood.

After speaking with several young people who aged out of foster care we learned that many felt “uncared” for when they began their journey to adulthood. Thus marked the beginning of Project Launch Pad. Our goal is to provide every young person aging out of care in Maricopa & Leon Counties with a Launch Pad to help them make a smooth transition into their own homes. Most importantly, each Launch Pad recipient will also receive a resource guide/brochure identifying numerous agencies in their area that assist with various community supports including employment, skills training, health care and post-secondary education