activities · 22
what they do
direct service · 15
- Crisis Support for Housing and Basic Needs Permanent and Transitional Housing SupportProvides one-time or short-term support for housing and basic needs to stabilize young people during crises.
- Educational achievement support programSupports young adults in completing post-secondary education, including Bachelor’s, Associate, and Technical programs, through financial and advisory support, contributing to the successful graduation of at least five participants.
- Educational achievement support programSupports post-secondary educational attainment by funding uncovered tuition costs, providing books and supplies, and offering incentives for academic performance, resulting in support for five graduates across Bachelor’s, Associate, and Technical programs.
- Emergency housing and basic needs assistance Permanent and Transitional Housing SupportProvides one-time or short-term financial and material support for housing and basic needs to help stabilize young adults during crises.
- Emergency housing and basic needs support Permanent and Transitional Housing SupportOffers one-time or short-term financial and logistical support to stabilize young adults transitioning from foster care during housing or personal crises.
- Employment Training and Support Youth Workforce Development for Foster AlumniOffers employment training and skills-building opportunities, including providing work supplies, to former foster youth.
- Employment Training and Support Youth Workforce Development for Foster AlumniOffers employment training and skills-building opportunities, and provides work supplies to former foster youth.
- Employment training and work readiness support Youth Workforce Development for Foster AlumniOffers employment training, skills-building opportunities, and provision of work supplies to support career development for young adults transitioning out of foster care.
- Employment training and work readiness support Youth Workforce Development for Foster AlumniProvides skills-building opportunities, employment training, and supplies necessary for job readiness and workplace success to young adults with foster care experience.
- Financial Support and Education for Former Foster Youth Targeted Educational ScholarshipsDelivers financial support and monitoring to former foster youth through financial education, budget development, and monthly incentives for good money management, including contributions to tuition, books, and other educational supplies.
- Financial support and education for former foster youth Targeted Educational ScholarshipsDelivers direct financial assistance, including tuition support, education supplies, and monthly incentives tied to good money management and progress toward individual financial goals, along with financial education and budget development.
- Financial support and education for young adult foster care graduates Targeted Educational ScholarshipsDelivers direct financial support, financial education, budget development assistance, and monthly incentives for good money management; also contributes to uncovered tuition costs, provides books and education supplies, and offers financial incentives for academic performance and progress toward individual financial goals.
- Mentorship Program for Former Foster Youth Youth Mentoring ProgramsProvides structured mentorships to support former foster youth in achieving personal and professional goals, engaging both program participants and volunteer mentors.
- Structured mentorship program for former foster youth Youth Mentoring ProgramsProvides structured mentorships that pair former foster youth with volunteer mentors to support them in achieving personal and professional goals through ongoing engagement and direct interaction.
- Structured mentorship program for former foster youthProvides one-on-one mentorships that support young adults with foster care experience in achieving personal and professional goals through ongoing engagement with trained volunteer mentors.
capacity building · 7
- Community and partner engagement Community Dialogue & Development InitiativesEngages community partners to support program delivery and organizational operations, strengthening networks and collaboration to enhance service impact.
- Community and partner engagement Community Dialogue & Development InitiativesEngages community partners and stakeholders to support program delivery and organizational operations, strengthening networks to enhance service reach and impact.
- Founding and organizational developmentFoster Your Future was founded in 2015 to address unmet needs among young adult foster care graduates in the Greater Phoenix Area, establishing the organization’s mission and operational foundation.
- Volunteer recruitment and management Volunteer Mobilization & ManagementReviews volunteer applications and conducts outreach to assess alignment with current organizational needs, supporting program delivery through managed volunteer engagement.
- Young Adult Advisory Committee Youth Advisory CouncilsOperates a Young Adult Advisory Committee that enables young adults with lived foster care experience to shape organizational efforts through ongoing engagement and expertise sharing.
- Young Adult Advisory Committee Youth Advisory CouncilsOperates a Young Adult Advisory Committee that engages young adults with lived foster care experience to inform and shape organizational programs and strategies through ongoing participation and expertise sharing.
- Young Adult Advisory Committee Youth Advisory CouncilsOperates a committee of young adults with lived foster care experience who provide ongoing input, shape organizational strategy, and share expertise to guide programs and services.
strategies · 31
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Accountability-Based Financial Incentives with Education financial-incentives-with-educationCombines financial literacy training and goal setting with conditional financial support, requiring accountability through monthly financial documentation to promote long-term financial stability.
- Accountability-based financial education and incentives financial-incentives-with-educationThe organization promotes long-term financial stability by combining financial education, budget monitoring, and conditional financial incentives, requiring participants to demonstrate accountability through monthly bank statements and progress reviews to access support.
- Accountability-based financial incentives and education financial-incentives-with-educationThe organization promotes long-term financial stability among former foster youth by combining financial education and budget monitoring with conditional financial incentives, requiring participants to demonstrate accountability through regular financial reporting to access support.
- Career Development with Financial and Social Support career_development and financial assistanceSupports professional placement and employability by integrating career pathway planning, financial assistance for training, and social support systems to reduce barriers to employment.
- Community Collaboration for Resource Mobilization community_collaborationBuilds strategic partnerships with corporations, faith communities, and social clubs to expand resources and support networks for transitioning foster youth, increasing program reach and sustainability through collective impact.
- Data-Driven Program Development and Impact Measurement data-driven_program_developmentUses data tracking and community feedback to iteratively refine programs, ensuring continuous improvement and measurable impact in supporting foster youth transitions.
- Data-driven program development and impact measurement data-driven_program_developmentFOSTER YOUR FUTURE uses innovative program development, community engagement, and data tracking to continuously measure and improve the impact of its programs.
- Data-driven program development and impact measurement data-driven_program_developmentThe organization uses innovative program development, community engagement, and data tracking to measure and continuously improve the impact of its programs.
- Empowering youth through leadership and peer support peer_support_and_leadership_developmentFOSTER YOUR FUTURE empowers young adults with lived foster care experience to drive organizational and systemic change by engaging them in leadership development and peer support activities.
- Empowering youth through leadership and peer support peer_support_and_leadership_developmentThe organization empowers young adults with lived foster care experience to drive organizational and systemic change by engaging them in leadership development and peer support activities.
- Family-Centered Support for Belonging and Connection family-centered_supportPrioritizes emotional well-being by fostering connections that simulate family support, drawing from the founder’s personal experience to emphasize belonging as a core component of stability.
- Family-centered support for connection and belonging family-centered supportFOSTER YOUR FUTURE emphasizes the importance of connection, belonging, and family support for youth in foster care, drawing from personal experience with adoption and family ties to inform its approach.
- Family-centered support for connection and belonging family-centered supportFOSTER YOUR FUTURE emphasizes the importance of connection, belonging, and family support for youth in foster care, drawing on personal experience to highlight the value of strong family ties.
- Financial literacy and accountability for stability financial-incentives-with-educationThe organization combines financial education, budget monitoring, and conditional financial incentives with accountability requirements (e.g., submitting bank statements, reviewing spending) to promote long-term financial stability among former foster youth.
- Individualized Support for Financial and Personal Goals individualized_supportTailors financial incentives and support services to each participant’s unique circumstances, goals, and progress, ensuring responsiveness and personal relevance in service delivery.
- Leveraging community collaboration for comprehensive support community_collaborationThe organization collaborates with diverse community organizations, including corporations, faith communities, and social clubs, to leverage resources and provide comprehensive support for young adults transitioning out of foster care.
- Life Skills and Holistic Development Programming holistic_supportAddresses systemic gaps in life skills and support networks by providing comprehensive development in housing, education, employment, and financial management, recognizing and building on youth resilience.
- Mentorship for Personal Growth and Transition Support mentorship-for-personal-growthUses sustained, supportive adult relationships to foster self-discovery, emotional resilience, and successful transition to adulthood, with mentorship serving as both a developmental and stabilizing force.
- Mentorship for personal growth and transition support mentorshipFOSTER YOUR FUTURE utilizes mentorship to foster self-discovery, personal growth, and emotional support in former foster youth, guiding them through the transition into adulthood, independent living, and professional careers.
- Mentorship for personal growth and transition support mentorshipThe organization utilizes mentorship to foster self-discovery, personal growth, and emotional support in former foster youth, guiding them through the transition into adulthood, independent living, and professional careers.
- Opportunity-Focused Development Belief System opportunity-focused_developmentOperates on the foundational belief that all individuals, especially former foster youth, can thrive when provided with equitable opportunities, shaping program design around potential rather than deficits.
- Opportunity-focused and family-centered holistic support opportunity-focused developmentThe organization believes in the potential of individuals when provided with appropriate opportunities, offering holistic support that includes stable housing, education, employment, financial management, and career development, while emphasizing the importance of connection, belonging, and family support.
- Opportunity-focused and holistic development opportunity-focused developmentThe organization believes in the inherent potential of individuals and provides holistic support, including career pathway development, financial assistance for training, and social support, to help young adults achieve stable housing, education, employment, and financial management.
- Opportunity-focused and holistic development opportunity-focused developmentThe organization believes in the inherent potential of individuals and provides holistic support, including career pathway development, financial assistance for training, and social support, to ensure young adults have the opportunities to achieve stable housing, education, employment, and financial management.
- Peer Support and Leadership Development peer_support_and_leadership_developmentEmpowers young adults with lived foster care experience to lead organizational and systemic change by leveraging their expertise and fostering leadership skills, creating a self-sustaining cycle of mentorship and advocacy.
- Story-Based Education to Build Empathy and Awareness story-based_educationUses narrative and metaphor—such as the journey of a displaced young ant—to communicate the foster care experience in an accessible way, increasing public understanding and engagement with the mission.
- Storytelling for empathy and education story-based educationThe organization uses storytelling and metaphor, specifically through the journey of a displaced young ant, to educate and build empathy around the foster care experience.
- Storytelling for empathy and education story-based educationFOSTER YOUR FUTURE uses storytelling and metaphor, specifically through the journey of a displaced young ant, to educate and build empathy around the foster care experience.
- Targeted Youth Support Through Individualized Programming targeted_youth_supportDesigns programs specifically to address the unmet needs of young adults aging out of foster care, ensuring relevance and effectiveness by focusing on high-impact transition challenges.
- Targeted and individualized support for foster care graduates targeted_youth_supportThe organization develops targeted programs and provides individualized support to address the specific unmet needs of young adults transitioning out of foster care, recognizing their resilience and potential, and tailoring financial incentives and support to their unique situations and goals.
- Volunteer Engagement Through Personalized Alignment volunteer_engagementMatches volunteers to organizational needs through a personalized intake process that aligns individual skills and interests with programmatic roles, increasing engagement and effectiveness.
named programs · 4
what they call their work
Education and Employment Support
Covers tuition gaps, books, training, and work supplies to help participants complete education and secure employment.
Financial Incentive Program
Provides tailored financial support and monthly incentives tied to budget compliance, academic performance, and progress toward financial goals such as debt repayment or savings.
Structured Mentorship Program
Pairs young adults with trained adult mentors who provide guidance, emotional support, and accountability as they transition to independence.
Young Adult Advisory Committee
Engages program alumni in leadership development, peer support, and organizational decision-making to shape future programming.
relationships · 14
who they work with
- Community groups Partner — Collaborates with community groups as part of its community partnership model.
- Faith communities Partner — Collaborates with faith communities as part of its community partnership model.
- Fountain Hills Times Independent Partner — Featured Foster Your Future in news articles
- Ginny Paulsen Partner — Founder of Foster Your Future
- International Rescue Committee Partner — Senior leadership roles held over 19 years, including Executive Director of the Kansas Office for Refugees.
- K-LOVE Radio Partner — Interviewed Ginny Paulsen, Founder of Foster Your Future
- Large corporations Partner — Collaborates with large corporations as part of its community partnership model.
- Randy Paulsen Partner — Volunteered in a group home for boys with his wife, Ginny Paulsen
- SanTan Sun News Partner — Featured Foster Your Future in a news article
- Small businesses Partner — Collaborates with small businesses as part of its community partnership model.
- Social clubs Partner — Collaborates with social clubs as part of its community partnership model.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Government — Public-private partnership to administer refugee cash and medical assistance programs in Kansas.
- Verne C. Johnson Family Foundation Funder — Donated $25,000 to Foster Your Future
- Visit Philadelphia Partner — Served as Grant Coordinator for the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, now Visit Philadelphia.