HOW ifoster helps YOUTH
From infants to young adults, iFoster is here to support everyone affected by the child welfare system. We offer a range of resources and supports to help you thrive while in care, and after exiting care.
Become a Member
Explore numerous resources and supports to help you succeed. Set up a free account in our portal today to gain access to:
- Daily living expenses support
- Discounts/coupons
- Education and employment aids
- Self-directed life skills trainings
- And much more!
Jobs Program
The iFoster Jobs Program is an award-winning training, internship, and employment placement program for foster youth transitioning into independence to ensure they can be financially self-sufficient when they leave care.
- We offer evidence and trauma-informed curriculum that helps youth build the hard and soft skills employers want.
- From training to concrete resources like housing stability, transportation, and a cell phone, we make sure youth have what they need to be successful on the job.
- We work with national and regional employer partners to provide opportunities for part-time and full-time jobs that come with benefits and career advancement.
- Some opportunities include scholarships and tuition reimbursement for post-secondary education.
Our Jobs Program offers two career pathways to choose from:
COMMUNITY SERVICE PATHWAY
- Each year, iFoster hires, trains, and deploys hundreds of current/former foster and probation youth to serve paid internships embedded in local colleges, child welfare agencies, and youth-serving nonprofits to help their peers succeed.
- Members train to be Peer Support Specialists to help fellow youth achieve self-sufficiency as well as their education, employment, and well-being goals.
COMMUNITY HEALTH PATHWAY
- Launched in 2024, this new program gives youth who want a career in healthcare the opportunity to intern in the field as Public Health Ambassadors.
- iFoster hires, trains, and deploys members to work paid internships at Eisner Health clinics across LA County.
- Members focus on developing healthcare-specific professional skills with opportunities to interview for permanent jobs in clinics and hospitals upon successful completion of the program.
- While the pilot program is only in California currently, we plan to expand to other states in the future.
Interested in joining our Jobs Program?
Contact our COO, Meredith Jaremchuk, at meredith@ifoster.org to get started.
ReMade in America
ReMade in America is a “For Us, By Us” social enterprise that takes companies’ unsold clothing that would otherwise go into landfills and instead recycles them into free high-quality clothing kits for children and youth in the foster care system. We also hire and train foster youth to run the collection and distribution process so that they can gain marketable skills and career opportunities.
Through ReMade in America, you will be able to:
- Shop our online marketplace where youth, caregivers, and agencies can get free clothing kits for infants to young adults.
- Join our Jobs Program, which will provide training and work experience to foster youth staffing the Remade in America processing center. Youth will learn about digital marketing, supply chain logistics, distribution, and more.
- Help solve the crisis of textiles filling landfills. We are creating partnerships with top brands to donate brand new clothing for distribution rather than throwing away excess merchandise.
Peers Paving the Path
Peers Paving the Path connects current and former foster youth with a Medi-Cal Certified Peer Support Specialist who has lived experience in foster care. Youth work one-on-one to create a personalized plan focused on stability, independence, and achieving their education, career, and life goals. This is a free program for eligible youth ages 16–26 in California who are preparing for or transitioning out of care. We can also help connect you to similar programs in your state.
Life After Foster Care Podcast
Join us as we explore the real stories, challenges, and triumphs of foster youth navigating Life After Foster Care. Hosted by foster youth, for foster youth, this podcast sheds light on the journey to independence, stability, and success after aging out of the system. Hear firsthand experiences, expert advice, and valuable resources to help young people build a brighter future.
Whether you’re in foster care, a supporter, or an advocate, this is a space for empowerment, guidance, and community.
If you would like to ask a question or suggest a topic for our next episode, click here!