FOSTER Success
Financial Empowerment Program for Foster Youth Transitioning Into Adulthood
FOSTER Success is a trauma-informed, financial empowerment program that helps current and former foster youth build practical money skills, prepare for independence, and move toward adulthood with greater confidence, clarity, and support.
What FOSTER Success Stands For
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What FOSTER Success Stands For •
What Is FOSTER Success?
FOSTER Success is a trauma-informed financial empowerment program designed to support foster youth and transitional age youth as they prepare for adulthood through practical financial knowledge, life readiness, and long-term empowerment.
The program combines financial literacy, transition planning, education and career readiness, resilience-building, and real-life tools that youth can actually use. Through workshops, resources, and supportive learning experiences, FOSTER Success helps young people strengthen confidence, build stability, and create a clearer path forward.
The program is rooted in Six Core Pillars:
F – Financial Literacy
Develop money management skills and a better understanding of financial systems to make informed financial decisions.
O – Overcoming Obstacles
Identify personal and systemic challenges and develop strategies to effectively navigate them.
S – Skills Development
Build practical life and financial skills needed for independence,
stability, and long-term success.
T – Transition Planning
Navigate the journey from foster care to adulthood with greater confidence and clarity.
E – Education Resources
Access student aid and scholarship tools for college or vocational training to build a brighter future.
R – Resilience Building
Strengthen emotional awareness, self-advocacy, and resilience for
long-term stability and future growth.
Who We Serve
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Current Foster Youth
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Former Foster Youth
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Transitional Age Youth
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At Risk Youth
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Underserved Youth
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Organizations Serving Youth
Program Snapshot
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6 Financial Empowerment Workshops
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Trauma-informed approach
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Interactive and youth-centered
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90 minutes each
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In-person or Virtual
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Ideal for ages 14–26
Program Outcomes
By the end of the workshop series, participants build real-life money skills and leave with tools they can use immediately.
What Youth Gain
Foundational money skills for budgeting, credit, savings, & goal setting
Ownership & confidence in managing money & real-life financial decisions
Stronger understanding of systems like banking, AB12, & student aid
Tools to reduce financial stress & strengthen future stability
Empowering connections with supportive peers & mentors
Roadmap for success through a Personalized Financial Empowerment Plan
Workshop Series Breakdown
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![Money Basics workshop: needs vs. wants, income, checking and savings accounts, safe banking, debit card use, mobile banking, and basic budgeting. Youth complete a starter budget & learn how to make everyday financial decisions with more confidence]()
Banking, Budgeting & Everyday Money Skills
Learn Foundational Money Concepts:
Needs vs. Wants
Types of Bank Accounts
Safe Banking Practices
How to Build a Customized Budget
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![Savings & Goal Setting workshop: Youth learn how to set short- and long-term savings goals, build emergency savings, use SMART goals, and create habits that support financial stability.]()
Short Term & Long Term Goal Planning
Participants Explore:
Emergency Savings
Goal Setting
Saving Habits
Intentionally Building A Realistic Plan Around Short & Long Term Priorities
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![Understanding Credit & Debt workshop: credit reports, credit scores, interest, debt repayment, and predatory lending affect their future. The workshop helps youth understand safe ways to build credit and avoid harmful financial products]()
How the Credit & Debt System Works
Youth Learn:
What Credit Is?
How It Works
How To Build It Safely
How To Avoid Harmful Debt
How To Avoid Predatory Financial Products
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![AB12, housing, & life navigation workshop: Youth learn how to navigate AB12 and ILP benefits, prepare for housing, understand real-world living costs, and gather important documents needed for adulthood.]()
Navigating Adulthood With Confidence
This session focuses on:
Housing Readiness
Transition Planning
Independent Living Costs
Understanding Support Systems such as AB12 and ILP.
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![College & Career Money Smarts workshop: Youth learn about FAFSA, Chafee, scholarships, student loans, college budgeting, and managing job or stipend income.]()
Money Skills for School, Work & What’s Next
Participants Explore:
FAFSA
Scholarships
Student Loans
Budgeting For School or Work
Preparing Financially for Their Next Chapter
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![Happiness, Money & Me workshop: Youth connect values, goals, and financial habits to create a personalized financial empowerment plan. values sorting, life vision mapping]()
Personal Values Meets Financial Empowerment
This Session Connects:
Values, Financial Goals, & Future Planning
Youth begin building a Personalized Financial Empowerment Plan they can continue using beyond the workshop.
Free Resources for Youth Building Stability
FOSTER Success offers practical resource tools to support youth beyond the workshop space. Join the email list to access downloadable guides, worksheets, and tools designed to help young people build confidence and take action.
Resource Preview List
Budget Starter Worksheet
Banking Basics Guide
FAFSA and Financial Aid Support Tools
Savings and Goal-Setting Worksheets
Housing Readiness Resources
Credit and Debt Basics Tools
Stories Through Spoken Word
FOSTER Success includes more than financial education. It also makes room for voice, truth, healing, and lived experience. Through spoken word, these pieces reflect the emotional realities, resilience, and personal stories that often shape a young person’s relationship with money, identity, and transition.
Spoken Word Video
Rooted in purpose, shaped by vision, driven by results.
Welcome to a space designed for ideas that move people. With a focus on quality, clarity, and connection, we're here to help you make an impact that lasts.
Bring FOSTER Success to
the Youth You Serve!
FOSTER Success partners with schools, nonprofits, foster youth organizations, independent living programs, and youth-serving agencies to deliver practical, trauma-informed financial empowerment programming.
Want to Support the Program?
There are many ways to get involved.
Whether you want to support, sponsor, collaborate, volunteer, or help bring the program to more youth, we welcome opportunities to build meaningful impact together.
Stay Connected
Join the email list for workshop updates, new resources, partnership opportunities, and program announcements.
Stay Connected!