Frequently Asked Questions

Who does I Will Thrive serve?

I Will Thrive serves young adults ages 18–23 who are aging out of or have aged out of the foster care system.

Do you serve both males and females?

At this time, our primary residential program serves males ages 18–23. As our organization grows, we plan to expand our services to serve more young adults. Some non-residential services and community resources may be available to others based on funding and availability.

What services do you provide?

Is there a cost to participate?

Services are provided at no cost to eligible participants whenever possible through donations, grants, and community partnerships.

Are you a 501(c)(3) nonprofit?

Yes! I Will Thrive is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

How can I help?

How can I get in touch?

Visit our Contact Us page or reach out through our social media accounts. We'd love to hear from you whether you're interested in receiving services, volunteering, or supporting our mission.

Why do children age out of foster care?

Youth age out of foster care when they reach adulthood without being reunited with their biological family, adopted, or placed in a permanent guardianship. In Florida, this typically occurs at age 18, although some young adults may qualify to remain in Extended Foster Care until age 21.

How many youth age out of foster care in Florida each year?

Approximately 700–900 young adults age out of Florida's foster care system each year without achieving a permanent family connection.

What happens when a youth ages out of foster care?

Once they leave foster care, many young adults are suddenly responsible for finding housing, earning an income, managing finances, accessing healthcare, pursuing education, and navigating adulthood — often without the support of family or trusted adults.

Are youth who age out of foster care at risk of homelessness?

Yes. Former foster youth are significantly more likely to experience homelessness or housing instability than their peers. Between 31% and 46% experience homelessness by age 26, and young men face an even greater risk.

Do youth aging out of foster care face mental health challenges?

Many do. Foster youth often have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, or multiple placements, increasing their risk for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health concerns. Access to ongoing mental health support can make a significant difference.

Is employment a challenge?

Yes. Many young adults aging out of foster care have limited work experience, few professional connections, and little guidance with resumes, interviews, or workplace expectations. Fewer than 45% have earnings in any given quarter.

Doesn't Florida provide assistance?

Florida offers programs such as Extended Foster Care, Postsecondary Education Services and Support (PESS), and Aftercare Services. While these programs help many young adults, not everyone qualifies, participates, or receives enough support to meet all of their needs. Community organizations help fill those gaps.

Why does I Will Thrive currently serve young men?

Young men aging out of foster care face some of the highest risks for homelessness, unemployment, incarceration, and a lack of stable support systems. By focusing our resources, we can provide intensive, individualized services that help them build successful, independent lives.

How many boys are in foster care?

Boys make up approximately 52% of children in foster care, meaning they represent slightly more than half of all youth in the foster care system.

Are young men at a greater risk of homelessness?

Yes. Research has found that being male is an independent risk factor for homelessness after aging out of foster care. Between 31% and 46% of former foster youth experience homelessness by age 26, and young men are at an even greater risk than their female peers.

Are young men more likely to become involved with the criminal justice system?

Yes. At age 19, 32.2% of young men who aged out of foster care had experienced incarceration, compared with 13.6% of young women. Former foster youth have significantly higher rates of involvement with the criminal justice system than their peers.

Will I Will Thrive serve young women in the future?

Yes. Our long-term vision is to serve all young adults aging out of foster care. We are beginning with young men so we can build a strong, sustainable program and expand our services as funding and resources grow. Young women are welcome to participate in all of our other services, including life skills classes, education and GED assistance, employment readiness, mental health support, social work services, case management, mentorship, and community programs.