activities · 17
what they do
direct service · 17
- Employment Opportunities at Social Enterprise CaféOperates a coffee shop in South Phoenix that provides employment opportunities for foster youth aging out of the system, integrating workforce experience into daily operations.
- Employment Opportunities for Foster Youth Youth Workforce Development for Foster AlumniThe organization operates a coffee shop in Phoenix that provides employment opportunities for foster youth who are aging out of the foster care system. They also offer job placement opportunities and internships for foster youth who complete their "Life Launch" program.
- Employment and Workforce Development for Foster Youth Youth Workforce Development for Foster AlumniThe organization operates a coffee shop in Phoenix that provides employment opportunities for foster youth aging out of the system. It also offers the "Life Launch: Skills for Success" program, which includes comprehensive life skills and workforce preparation, and facilitates job placement opportunities and internships for program graduates.
- Extended Foster Care ProgramOperates an Extended Foster Care program that supports youth aged 17½ to 21 in their transition from foster care to independent adulthood, providing 24/7 family-oriented, specialized care and personalized living environments tailored to each youth's background and needs.
- Group Supported Employment for Adults with Special Needs Supported Employment for People with DisabilitiesOffers Group Supported Employment (GSE) opportunities for eligible adults with special needs, providing structured work experience and integration into employment settings.
- Group Supported Employment for Adults with Special Needs Supported Employment for People with DisabilitiesFRIENDS OF OHANA offers Group Supported Employment (GSE) opportunities for eligible adults with special needs, providing structured work environments and support.
- Group Supported Employment for Adults with Special Needs Supported Employment for People with DisabilitiesFRIENDS OF OHANA offers Group Supported Employment (GSE) opportunities for eligible adults with special needs.
- Recreational and Social Enrichment Programs Foster Family Enrichment EventsFacilitates vacation experiences, summer getaways, weekend trips, community outings, and holiday celebrations—including “Ohana Friendsgiving” and seasonal events—to promote joy, belonging, and dignity for foster children and youth who have aged out of care.
- Residential Care for Children with Developmental Disabilities Supported Living for IDDFRIENDS OF OHANA provides 24/7 family-oriented, informed, and specialized care in group home settings for children receiving services through the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). These homes are designed to meet individual needs, offering birthday and holiday celebrations, family-style meals, vacations, community outings, and social engagement.
- Residential Care for Children with Developmental Disabilities Supported Living for IDDFRIENDS OF OHANA provides 24/7 family-oriented, informed, and specialized care in group home settings for children receiving services through the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). These homes are designed to meet individual needs, offering personalized living spaces, family-style meals, birthday and holiday celebrations, community outings, and vacation experiences.
- Support for Young Adults Aging Out of Foster Care Youth Workforce Development for Foster AlumniFRIENDS OF OHANA provides comprehensive support services to young adults aged 17½ to 21 in Arizona's Extended Foster Care Program, assisting their transition to independent adulthood. This includes providing Success Coaches, transitional housing, transportation assistance (donated cars, electric bikes, vehicle registration), workforce development, mentorship, and life skills training.
- Support for Young Adults Aging Out of Foster Care Youth Workforce Development for Foster AlumniFRIENDS OF OHANA provides support services to young adults aged 17½ to 21 in Arizona's Extended Foster Care Program, helping them transition to independent adulthood. This includes providing Success Coaches, transitional housing, transportation assistance (donated cars, electric bikes, vehicle registration), and comprehensive life skills and workforce preparation through the "Life Launch: Skills for Success" program.
- Transitional and Group Home SupportProvides transitional housing and group home settings for young adults aging out of foster care and individuals with special needs, offering structured, home-like environments with personalized meal plans, bedrooms, activities, and community engagement opportunities.
- Transportation Support for Foster Youth Youth and Community Transportation AccessProvides transportation resources including donated cars, covered registration costs, and electric bikes suitable for challenging terrain to ensure reliable access to work and daily responsibilities for young adults in Extended Foster Care.
- Vacation and Social Experiences for Foster Children Foster Family Enrichment EventsThe organization provides vacation experiences for foster children in Arizona, specifically facilitating summer vacation experiences for foster children in the Phoenix metropolitan area, and creating holiday season events for youth who have aged out of foster care and individuals with special needs.
- Vacation and Social Experiences for Foster Children and Youth Foster Family Enrichment EventsThe organization provides vacation experiences for foster children in Arizona, specifically facilitating summer vacation experiences in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They also host social events like "Ohana Friendsgiving" and create holiday experiences for youth who have aged out of foster care and individuals with special needs.
- Workforce Development and Job Training Youth Workforce Development for Foster AlumniDelivers workforce development through the “Life Launch: Skills for Success” program, which includes training in interpersonal skills, customer service, job interviewing, resume building, financial literacy, and emotional regulation, and provides job placement and internship opportunities for foster youth who complete the program.
strategies · 13
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.
- Employment Readiness through Social Enterprise and Talent Matching social_enterpriseCreates personalized employment pathways using social enterprise (e.g., coffee shop training), experiential learning, and talent-based job matching to build workplace competence, confidence, and community contribution for foster youth and adults with special needs.
- Employment and Life Skills Development for Independence employment_life_skills_developmentFRIENDS OF OHANA utilizes a social enterprise model and provides success coaching to equip foster youth and adults with special needs with practical experience, job training, and essential life skills (e.g., budgeting, housing). This strategy aims to prevent homelessness and foster independent futures by matching individuals with employment opportunities aligned with their talents.
- Experiential and Holistic Development experiential_holistic_developmentThe organization supports the holistic development of foster youth through experiential programming, including vacation opportunities, and by providing guidance and long-term support within transitional housing. This aims to promote well-being, connection, and independence.
- Experiential and Supportive Pathways to Employment and Stability experiential_employment_pathwaysFRIENDS OF OHANA utilizes social enterprises, experiential programming, and personalized employment pathways to provide practical experience, job training, and skill development for foster youth and adults with special needs. This approach aims to prevent homelessness, build confidence, and ensure long-term stability by matching individuals with opportunities that align with their talents and interests.
- Extended Foster Care with Independence Readiness independence-readinessSupports young adults beyond traditional foster care age by fostering independence through self-directed preparation, responsible decision-making, and access to resources for long-term success.
- Gap-Filling Funding Model gap_fillingAddresses service gaps in traditional funding by resourcing critical support programs that promote stability, employment, and well-being for vulnerable youth and adults.
- Individualized and Relational Support individualized_relational_supportFRIENDS OF OHANA provides individualized, consistent, and relational support to young adults in foster care and individuals with special needs. This approach, rooted in trust and personalized care, helps them overcome barriers, build life skills, and achieve long-term independence and success.
- Individualized and Relational Support for Independence individualized_relational_supportFRIENDS OF OHANA provides individualized, consistent, and relational support, including coaching and dedicated support teams, to help young adults in foster care and individuals with special needs overcome barriers, build life skills, and make responsible decisions, ultimately fostering their independence and long-term success.
- Individualized, Trauma-Informed Care trauma-informed careProvides personalized, trauma-informed support that addresses each individual’s background and emotional needs, ensuring smoother transitions into care and greater stability through dedicated teams and tailored planning.
- Relational Support Model with Coaching relational_support_modelUses consistent, relationship-based coaching to empower young adults in extended foster care, helping them build life skills, set goals, and navigate challenges through trust and long-term support.
- Transitional Housing with Holistic Guidance supportive_housing_with_guidanceOffers supportive housing that combines safe community living with ongoing guidance and long-term support to foster independence and prevent homelessness among youth aging out of foster care.
- Trauma-Informed Care trauma_informed_careThe organization provides support with a trauma-informed perspective, ensuring children receive normalcy, love, and support to address their unique needs stemming from past experiences.
- Trauma-Informed and Supportive Housing trauma_informed_supportive_housingFRIENDS OF OHANA provides transitional housing with community, guidance, and long-term support, coupled with a personalized intake process and a trauma-informed approach, to ensure a smooth transition and promote independence, normalcy, love, and support for vulnerable populations.
named programs · 5
what they call their work
Extended Foster Care
Support program for youth ages 17½ to 21 transitioning from foster care, offering success coaching, life skills training, and resources for education, employment, and housing
Life Launch: Skills for Success
Comprehensive life skills program covering interpersonal skills, customer service, job interview techniques, financial literacy, and emotional regulation for foster youth and adults with special needs
Transitional Housing
Apartment-based housing with personalized support for young adults aging out of foster care, offering structure and guidance during the transition to independence
Work Program for Adults with Special Needs
Group Supported Employment (GSE) program providing integrated employment opportunities in the community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Young Adult Job Placement Program
Internship and job placement initiative connecting foster youth with employment partners after completing Life Launch training to gain real-world work experience
relationships · 5
who they work with
- Arizona Department of Child Safety Partner — Partners with the Arizona Department of Child Safety for the Extended Foster Care program.
- Dr. Ryan Senters Government — Founder and CEO of FRIENDS OF OHANA
- Extended Foster Care Program Partner — Collaborates with the Extended Foster Care Program to support young adults transitioning out of foster care.
- Hanai Coffee Partner — Operates as a social enterprise providing employment opportunities for foster youth supported by FRIENDS OF OHANA.
- community donors Partner — Donated a vehicle and supported vehicle-related costs for a young adult in Extended Foster Care.