Our programs use a positive youth development approach to address the needs of teens in foster care.
FAN Youth Peer Operated Center (POC) | After-school and Summer Programs | Alumni program | Caregiver Support program |
Each FAN program uses a positive youth development approach to address the needs of youth impacted by the child welfare system.
FAN’s current programs are designed to reach some of the city’s most vulnerable youth and youth impacted by the child welfare system as young as age 9 and support them through young adulthood, providing a consistent environment of care and support through after-school and summer programming. Each participant is provided with opportunities to belong, develop their talents and skills, create meaningful relationships with peers and adults, and experience success. Our programs serve as a source of stability, consistency, and support that enhances the well-being and positive development of youth.
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FAN’s Youth POC in Ward 8, will serve up to 110 children, youth, young adults, and parents/caregivers across all the Center’s activities. Center Activities will include the after school and summer program, a youth and young adult drop-in center, targeted case management, peer support, and referral.
Although youth and young adults who have had contact with the child welfare system will remain a priority population, the Youth POC will expand FAN’s reach to youth and families at risk for contact with the child welfare system because of unmet behavioral health needs, and young adults who have or are at risk of developing behavioral health challenges because of family or community-based trauma and toxic stress.
The After-school and Summer Programs are for youth impacted by the child welfare system between the ages of 9 and 18. These programs engage young adolescents in activities of academic support, extracurricular instruction, community service, relationship building, group mentoring, and some good fun after school and during the summer.
The Alumni Program serves former after school program participants by offering monthly workshops and social gatherings to disseminate helpful college- and life-related information and informal peer support. Targeted one-on-one support is also available through the program coordinator with education, jobs, paperwork, benefits, and other challenges that young adults face.
FAN’s Caregivers program exists to serve our caregivers with much needed resources; such as workshops that focus on parenting techniques, social activities for community bonding and even respite for busy parents. We meet at least once a month at the FAN office or off-site for our social activity.
