Thank You for Being Part of Our Foster Forward Family
On this Thanksgiving, we want to pause and share how truly thankful we are for you. Your kindness, generosity, and belief in the potential of youth and families navigating foster care mean the world to us.
Because of you, countless young people are finding stability, support, and hope for brighter futures. Every step forward they take is a reflection of the incredible community of supporters—like you—who stand behind them.
From all of us at Foster Forward, we wish you and your loved ones a Thanksgiving filled with joy, connection, and gratitude.
Thank you for making a difference, not just today, but every day.
We’re excited to share that our Executive Director, Lisa Guillette, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Murray Family Prize for Community Enrichment by the Rhode Island Foundation!
This incredible honor, accompanied by a $50,000 award, recognizes Lisa’s remarkable dedication to empowering young people impacted by foster care. Her leadership continues to inspire us all as we work toward brighter futures for youth and families.
Join us in congratulating Lisa on this well-deserved recognition!
Foster Forward Brings Works Wonders® Expertise to South Carolina
Last week, our team of staff and youth leaders partnered with South Carolina DSS to lead a professional development session for 30 individuals from five organizations, including SC DSS, the Department of Employment & Workforce, Palmetto Place, Helping Hands Aiken, National Youth Advocate Program, Landmark for Families, and Growing Homes Southeast.
The sessions focused on building systems capacity to strengthen youth workforce development, drawing from the success of our award-winning Works Wonders® program. This collaborative opportunity was full of learning, connection, and growth—and we’re excited to continue with virtual trainings in the coming weeks.
We’re also exploring the possibility of welcoming one or more new Works Wonders® replication partners to expand opportunities for youth nationally!
Stay tuned for updates as we continue to grow and share our impact.
Highlighting National Homeless Youth Awareness Month
November marks National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the challenges many young people face after exiting foster care:
Nearly 40% experience homelessness by age 24.
20% become homeless immediately upon aging out.
At Foster Forward, we’re addressing youth homelessness through programs like Your Way Home, which provides young people with stable housing and the resources they need to thrive. We're also working on initiatives like the Center City Apartments, creating 30 affordable units for youth aging out of care.
If you’d like to learn more about our housing journey, check out our 2023 Annual Report or read the recent Providence Journal article highlighting this critical work.
Thanks to your support, we’re building a future where every young person has a safe place to call home.
