Foster Progress

💬 Imagine This A young person without stable family support must navigate life’s toughest milestones alone—finding housing, applying to college, securing a job. Now imagine that same youth with a community behind them: a mentor, a scholarship, and a network cheering them on. 📊 The Impact of Support Youth with foster care experience often face: Higher rates of unemployment and financial insecurity. Limited access to stable housing and mental health resources. Lower college graduation rates compared to their peers. Foster Progress changes this narrative by offering the support needed to succeed. But we can’t do it without you. 📢 Be the Difference Your donation today fuels mentoring programs, scholarships, and opportunities for youth in foster care. Help us reach our $17,500 goal by year-end and transform lives. 👉 https://lnkd.in/euQfKCA Students like Jocelyn continue to inspire us with her incredible grit and resilience. 💪 #FosterCare #Advocacy #EndDisparities #SupportFosterYouth #YearEndAppeal

❄️ Happy Holidays from Foster Progress! ❄️ ✨As we wrap up the year, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all YOU, who have stood by our mission. Your contributions have made a world of difference for former foster youth striving for brighter futures. ✨ Thank you for being part of this journey and for helping us create opportunities that truly matter. Here's to another year of growth, progress, and community! Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and peaceful holiday season! Thank you for making a difference: https://lnkd.in/euQfKCA #FosterProgress #ThankYou #HappyHolidays

🌟 A Night to Remember at Lincoln Park Zoo Lights! 🌟 Earlier this month, Foster Progress students came together to enjoy the magic of the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights—a joyful celebration of community, resilience, and hope. From the sparkling displays to the laughter shared, it was a night filled with memories that will last a lifetime. ✨ Because of You ✨ Opportunities like this are made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters. Your contributions help us provide meaningful experiences that bring our students together, foster community, and remind them that they are never alone on their journey. 💡 Why It Matters Every donation empowers us to create moments like this, while also funding the mentoring, scholarships, and programs that make a lasting impact on the lives of foster youth. 📢 Let’s Keep the Magic Going Help us continue to create opportunities for the youth we serve. Donate today and be part of transforming futures. 👉 https://lnkd.in/euQfKCA #FosterProgress #ZooLights #FosterYouthSupport #CommunityMatters #WeAreThe3Percent

🌟 Meet Jocelyn: A Foster Progress Success Story 🌟 💬 Jocelyn’s Story "Foster Progress has been a lifeline for me over the last six years. From my mentor Cynthia, who guided me through everything from college essays to mental health crises, to the incredible support of the Traverse program and opportunities like traveling to Guatemala, this community has transformed my life. Now, as a peer mentor for Foster Progress’s Y-CAP program and a Master of Social Work student, I’m committed to helping others in the foster care system succeed. I’m living proof that with the right support, we can rewrite the narrative for foster youth." 💡 Why This Matters Jocelyn’s journey reminds us of the immense potential within foster youth—and the power of education to unlock it. But for every Jocelyn, there are countless others who don’t have the resources or support they need. 📢 Help Us Reach Our Goal This year, we’re aiming to raise $17,500 to provide mentoring, scholarships, and life-changing opportunities for foster youth. Your donation can help create more success stories like Jocelyn’s. 🎁 Donate today and be part of the movement to transform lives. Together, we can ensure that every foster youth has the support they need to thrive. 👉 https://lnkd.in/euQfKCA #FosterProgress #EducationForAll #WeAreThe3Percent #FosterCareSuccess #YearEndGiving

 🥳YCAP Students Celebrate the End of the Semester at NIU! Our amazing YCAP (Youth in Care Peer Advocacy Program) students at Northern Illinois University wrapped up the semester with a holiday dinner full of laughter, delicious food, and good company. This special evening was all about celebrating their achievements and looking forward to the next chapter. 🎉 We’re so proud of these students for their hard work and resilience this semester. Here’s to more milestones and memories in the coming year! #YCAP #HolidayCelebration #FosterProgress #StudentSuccess

🎓 Mentorship Matters: Unlocking Potential, Transforming Futures 💡 At Foster Progress, we know the power of a strong mentor-student relationship. For youth in foster care, having someone to guide, inspire, and believe in them can mean the difference between dropping out and walking across the stage with a diploma. 🔑 Mentors help our students: ✅ Navigate college applications ✅ Build confidence ✅ Stay on track academically ✅ Dream big and reach higher Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, and we need your help to continue providing life-changing mentorship for our students. Your support fuels their success and creates opportunities where there once were none. 💙 Donate tomorrow and make a direct impact on the lives of youth in foster care. Together, we can change the story. 💙 📅 Mark your calendar and join us: https://lnkd.in/euQfKCA #FosterProgress #GivingTuesday #MentorshipMatters #EducationForAll

🚀 Calling all foster youth interested in adventuring and exploring their dreams! 🚀 Join Foster Progress as we prepare once again to Traverse to exotic South America. 🌎 We invite young people ages from 15-20 who have experienced foster care for an unforgettable trip to Columbia this Spring! 🌈 Travel abroad, become immersed in a new culture, do something meaningful by engaging in a service project - all while building connections and making new friends. Rachel, Traverse program coordinator is an experienced traveler and LCSW. She will lead this incredible exploration as Foster Progress students head just north of the Amazon! 🤝 Who’s it for? Youth currently or formerly in foster care (priority given to those from ages 17-19) 🗓️ When? May 21-28, 2025 ✨ Why? Because YOU deserve to see the beauty that the world beholds Seats are limited, so don’t wait—secure your spot today! Visit: https://lnkd.in/g6sMYz3 Explore incredible destinations with Traverse—whether you're thinking about college or if you're simply open to new opportunities! The world is your oyster 🌠

🚎 College Road Trip Recap: Northern Illinois University Edition! 😊 This week, we hit the road with a group of amazing students to explore NIU! From walking the campus to hearing directly from college staff and current students, the experience was truly eye-opening. For many of the young people we serve, stepping foot on a college campus helps turn a distant dream into an achievable goal. It’s about more than just seeing classrooms and dorms—it’s about imagining themselves thriving there. These road trips open doors and minds, empowering foster youth to see that higher education is within their reach. A HUGE thank you to NIU for Hosting ✨ And to Devon our Y-CAP peer advocate for sharing his story. STAY TUNED - To learn more about Devon's incredible college journey 🙌 #CollegeBound #HigherEdOpportunities #FosterProgress #GivingTuesday

This month we will be sharing the stories of the 3% of people who have accomplished what so few can: achieving a college degree after experiencing foster care. Follow along and join us in celebrating their accomplishments. Help us to change this statistic by donating to our year end campaign here: https://lnkd.in/ghEc353t At Foster Progress, we start with the assumption that youth in foster care are capable of reaching their dreams if they have high-quality support. It is our goal to inspire youth transitioning out of care with a long-term vision of their future and help them put the pieces in place to make their dreams a reality.

🎉A huge THANK YOU to everyone who attended and supported Bags and Brews on November 2nd! 🎉 Together, we raised an amazing $8,900 to help youth currently or formerly in foster care as they begin their journey into adulthood. Special thanks to those who participated virtually through the raffle—your support from afar means the world to us! We couldn’t have done this without our incredible sponsors: FIRST Chicago Bank, Northern Trust, Board Secretary Cristina Ortega, and Short Fuse Brewing Company. Your generosity and partnership make a lasting impact. Thank you all for being part of this journey! #BagsAndBrews #FosterProgress #YouthInCare