GUIDING FOSTER YOUTH TOWARD PERMANENT, NURTURING FAMILIES.
INTRODUCTION
Foster to Forever is a life-changing initiative by Gate117, dedicated to supporting foster youth in their journey from care placements to permanent, loving families. We recognize that a meaningful transition out of foster care is much more than just moving from one living situation to another — it involves continuity, emotional support, and tailored guidance that fosters a true sense of belonging.
By providing structured mentorship, vital resources, and compassionate care, we aim to ensure every child not only finds a safe and stable environment, but also experiences a nurturing community that affirms their worth, encourages personal growth, and empowers them to thrive.
WHAT IS “foster to FOREVER”?
Why It Matters
Each year, thousands of children across the nation remain in the foster care system without forging permanent family connections or stable living arrangements. These young people are often left to grapple with the anxiety of uncertainty, emotional burdens stemming from frequent relocations, and the absence of a lasting support network.
Foster to Forever seeks to break this cycle, bridging the gap between short-term foster placements and the unconditional love of a forever home. By providing foster youth with the stability, guidance, and opportunities they deserve, we help them build self-confidence, cultivate resilience, and embark on a future marked by hope and possibility.
OUR APPROACH
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Family Placement Advocation
Personalized guidance helps streamline the adoption or guardianship process, ensuring quicker, smoother transitions.
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Resource Integration
Through workshops and practical training, we equip foster children and their prospective families with essential life skills—finances, communication, conflict resolution—to support successful integration at home.
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Mentorship Support
A one-on-one mentoring program matches youth with caring adults who provide consistent guidance and friendship.
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Continued Follow-Up
Our support doesn’t end once a placement is finalized. We maintain ongoing communication to ensure the child and family have the help they need for long-term stability and success.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Every child in foster care has their own set of life experiences, aspirations, and personal needs that deserve thoughtful consideration. Gate117 recognizes that successful placements depend on more than just availability; they require a deep understanding of each child’s personality, social background, and emotional well-being. We partner with a growing group of Foster and Adoption advocates and groups who take time to learn about a youth’s unique needs and interests. Whether it’s art, sports, or academic pursuits, Gate 117 exists to provide hope and support for each journey.
This tailored approach reduces the likelihood of disruptions and helps build a sense of trust, belonging, and security right from the start. In doing so, we not only honor the distinct qualities that make each child special but also empower families to feel confident about welcoming a new member into their home, knowing that the match is built on mutual understanding and shared commitment.
presonalized matching
Joining a new household involves emotional, social, and practical adjustments for both children and their prospective families. Often the simplest tasks, like meal preparation or daily health routines are completely foreign to foster youth. Gate 117 partners with seasoned NPOs to provide trauma-informed wrap-around care that helps foster youth develop the skills to make the transition to a forever home more sustainable.
Also, we assist potential foster and adoptive families to better understand the joys and complexities of fostering or adopting. We explore communication, boundary-setting, and nurturing self-esteem, providing families with a solid foundation for transition. This holistic approach fosters stronger bonds, reduces stress and misunderstandings, and empowers families to build resilience and empathy to face challenges together.
WRAP-AROUND SERVICES
Even under the most ideal circumstances, merging a child into a new family setting can bring about emotional turbulence and uncertainty. Foster to Forever partners with many of the best NPOs and community organizations to provide counseling designed to help both the child and the new family address issues that will inevitably surface. We work proactively to address past traumas, fear of abandonment, or difficulty forming attachments in order to guide families through personalized therapy and mediation.
These services foster an open and honest dialogue, giving every member of the household a safe space to express worries, build communication skills, and strengthen their emotional bonds. Regular check-ins ensure ongoing support enabling families to adapt as circumstances evolve. We also love to celebrate personal milestones along the way.
Ongoing Counseling & MediatioN
Foster to Forever utilizes community partnerships to provide extensive support beyond the family's home. We collaborate with local organizations, churches, and volunteers to ensure children and families access services for holistic development and social integration. This includes tutoring, extracurricular activities, and mentorship programs for positive role models. Additionally, our partners offer resources like childcare, transportation, and emergency financial aid, helping families remain resilient in crises. By fostering collaborative relationships, we create a safety net that cultivates belonging within both the household and the community, transforming placements into opportunities for lifelong growth and shared success.
Community Partnerships
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