Here are updates from two of the programs:

Propelling into Triumph, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting youth aging out of foster care through transitional housing, life skills development and success coaching, received a grant to expand its PIT Scholars program.

The nonprofit has just expanded its housing program with the launch of Saints House Boys Home. It is their first transitional housing location specifically for young men aging out of foster care.

“This is a huge milestone for our organization, and it represents so much more than just a new building—it’s about creating safe spaces, nurturing futures, and continuing the mission that we’ve been entrusted with,” said Shavon Saint Preux, chief executive officer.

“You believed in us when this work was just a vision on paper, and your investment through the Lived Experience Impact Grant gave us the boost we needed to bring it all to life,” she said. That was almost two years ago, and now we’re not only housing youth — we’re expanding, the PIT Scholars program is thriving, and our impact is growing deeper by the day.”

Winston Rhea Scholars also reported in with a recent update, sharing a new video the organization produced. The nonprofit serves young people in Louisiana and South Carolina through a high-touch, intensive coaching/mentorship program that includes post-high school goal setting and financial support

“We owe so much to Youth Villages for believing in us early on and helping us grow these past couple years. It really changed everything for us when we were awarded that Lived Experience Grant,” said Daniel Harris, co-founder/executive director.

The lived experience grants ranged in size from $25K to $80K and were dispensed on varying schedules over two years, beginning in 2023. In addition, many of the awardees are interested in partnerships with Youth Villages beyond funding to include things like functional support, aligning in advocacy efforts and co-sponsoring events and activities in the future.

Partnering with these nonprofits is important to Youth Villages’ mission. “We share a common goal of supporting young people on the journey to adulthood,” said Catherine Smith, chief strategy officer at Youth Villages. “Together, we will have an even greater positive impact on services and outcomes across the country.”

Other nonprofits who received grants include:

Freedom Forward, in San Francisco to fund a guaranteed income pilot for transition-age young people aging out of foster care who are survivors of sexual exploitation.

SUN Scholars, in Connecticut with a nationwide project, to build an AI-powered online education resource for transition-age young people who are graduating high school and the education professionals who support them.

YSS Rooftop Gardens, in Des Moines, Iowa, to provide workforce/professional development for child welfare and juvenile justice involved youth through a sustainable farming initiative.

Oregon Foster Youth Connection to establish OFYC as an independent, transition-age youth led advocacy organization to drive policy change across the state.

Florida’s Children First/Florida Youth SHINE to launch the first phase of the youth-led “YouthCanSHINE” campaign to drive greater change through advocacy and create statewide awareness of the supports that young people in care need to be successful.

Found Village, in Cincinnati, to expand the support offered to transition-age young people in Hamilton County, Ohio by investing in staffing and program development to deliver the “Launch to Independence” program, which offers focused and intentional age-appropriate coaching, life skills training and career advancement opportunities for young people exiting foster care.

Updates from Lived Experience Grant recipients will be featured in other editions of Impact & Insights.

For more information on Youth Villages’ grant making for system change, contact: BPPDept@youthvillages.org.

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