FamiliesFirst Network President Cory Borcherding, Young Adult Services Manager Melody Kohr, and one of our young adults, Olivia, were recently featured on WSRE’s “InStudio: Foster Care” – a special panel discussion about foster care in our community.

We’re so proud of Olivia for sharing her story, and we’re thrilled with the success she’s achieved in her life – now going to college and working as a teacher’s aide!

“Growing up with someone who deals with addiction, you parent them more than they parent you, which was the hardest part…..it is great to be able to be my age. It is great to be able to be in school and be able to make a life for myself that I thought I would never have,” Oliva, when asked how the Young Adult Services Program has changed her life.

FamiliesFirst Network helps young adults transitioning out of the foster care system with living options, as well as life skills development and guidance.

“Our young adults don’t have the support or financial means to age out and be successful. Housing has always been one of our number one challenges. Fresh Start Village has alleviated some of that for us and given our kids an opportunity,” said Young Adult Services Manager Melody Kohr when addressing the challenges for kids aging out of foster care.

Our young adult services program provides extended foster care, helping current and former youth who are ages 18 to 21 to return to a foster home environment or an approved supervised, independent living environment. Learn more.