Homes with Heart VC, a program of Ventura County Children and Family Services, is recruiting loving families in Ventura County to open their homes to older youth in care. Transitional aged youth (TAY) are between the ages of 16-25 and are at a point in their lives where love, guidance, and mentorship are critical for their future independence.
Currently, the county has over 200 TAY youth and homes are in higher demand than ever before. A safe place to call home can provide older youth with stability and teach them valuable skillsets in preparation for a successful future. By taking the first steps to become a resource family, you can make a large difference as they step forward into the rest of their life.
“Most people don’t want teenagers, they want babies, so they can grow up with them… So it was a little harder finding a home that actually wanted someone like me, who was much older,” said Betty, a former youth in care. “Not feeling like you were wanted by certain people, by certain homes, that was a little hard for my heart.”
Homes with Heart VC is grateful for the families who have already shared their support. There are so many ways to show you care regardless of the size of the commitment. RaisingHOPE, a non-profit partner to Homes with Heart VC, offers free housing navigation services to TAY youth and provides options to overcome housing barriers for our TAY.
“Our work is dedicated to the overall safety of our families in Ventura County, and one of the most important things we do is to find safe and loving homes for our children, especially the older youth who are transitioning into independence,” said Jaci Johnson, Program Coordinator III at Ventura County Children and Family Services. “We cannot do this important work without the support from our community, and we urge you to step up and help.”
To learn more about how you can get involved and help transitional aged youth, visit Teenhomes.homeswithheartvc.org
Recognized as a best practice leader statewide in the family recruitment and support component of child welfare, Ventura County Children and Family Services’ Homes with Heart VC, previously known as Foster VC Kids, was developed to increase the amount of loving resource families who are ready to take in children in need in Ventura County.
This initiative provides resource families with ongoing support services, trauma-informed training, and mentorship to enhance the safety, permanency and well-being of Ventura County’s youth and families.
Learn how Ventura County Children and Family Services’ Homes with Heart VC is making a difference throughout Ventura County, www.homeswithheartvc.org.
