St. Aemilian-Lakeside is committed to providing high quality services to foster youth of all ages, including those who leave the system because they turn 18. These young people face countless challenges during their transition to adulthood. Our current initiatives are:
- Supportive Permanent Housing program
This program, which is funded through a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, provides nine homeless young adults with mental illness ages 18-24 with supportive services and permanent housing in apartments around Milwaukee County. Its purpose is to intervene with these young adults during this critical stage of their transition to adulthood.
The Youth Transitioning to Adulthood (YTA) Scholars Program provides long-term support and guidance to young adults who are exiting the foster care system. With a focus on education, employment and personal development, program services are designed to ensure that youth engage in positive relationships and explore and pursue further education and employment goals. The YTA counselor is at the center of the success of this program, serving as a mentor, teacher, advocate, cheerleader and surrogate parent. And additional focus is on enhancing nurturing, supportive relationships as long-term connections.
This program provides housing in single-bedroom apartments and 18 months of supportive services to 20 former foster youth ages 18-24 who are at risk of being homeless. Services are designed to ensure that these young people explore and pursue education and employment, learn how to access needed resources and achieve skills necessary to live on their own. Goals include the development of daily living skills, managing finances and budgeting, educational and vocational training, achieving employment, managing of mental illness, achieving positive physical health and avoiding contact with the criminal justice system.
Advocacy and partnerships
We are actively working through the Wisconsin Association of Family and Children’s Agencies and the Alliance for Children and Families and other interested stakeholders in the community to increase awareness, establish partnerships and direct needed funding to support young people who are aging out of care.
See our wish list of things needed for youth aging out of foster care.
For more information on Independent Living Services or to make a referral, contact:
Jane Ottow
Independent Living Services supervisor
414-465-1363
jottow@st-al.org
