FOR FOSTER YOUTH
Help For You Near 95207.
In foster care now or were in foster care before? Start here. These are housing, college, job, mentoring and basic-needs resources you can reach out to yourself.
Resources are reviewed for accuracy. Always confirm current program details directly with the organization.
- RESOURCE FOR FOSTER YOUTH
California Student Aid Commission — California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth
California Chafee Grant for College or Career Training
Education & ScholarshipsThe California Chafee Grant awards up to $5,000 a year to eligible current and former foster youth for college, university, or career and technical training. The California Department of Social Services authorized $4,500 annual awards for the 2025-26 academic year.
Award amounts, deadlines and the waitlist change from year to year. Confirm current amounts and deadlines with the California Student Aid Commission.
- Service area
- California statewide
- Who it is for
- Who it is for: Current or former foster youth who were in foster care between the ages of 16 and 18 and are under age 26. The grant may be used at eligible California schools, and students attending schools in other states may also qualify.
✓ Verified Resource· Last reviewed: August 2026
APPLY FOR THE CHAFEE GRANT - RESOURCE FOR FOSTER YOUTH
California Youth Connection
Youth Leadership and Advocacy Chapters Across California
MentoringYoung Adult SupportCalifornia Youth Connection is youth-led. Members join local chapters and work on legislation, policy, practice and public education so that youth impacted by foster care are at the center of decisions about their lives.
Chapters are organized locally across California. Chapter availability varies by area.
- Service area
- California statewide
- Who it is for
- Who it is for: Current and former foster youth in California. Prior leadership experience is not required; CYC provides training and support.
✓ Verified Resource· Last reviewed: August 2026
BECOME A CYC MEMBER - RESOURCE FOR FOSTER YOUTH
Children's Home of Stockton
Catalyst — Support for Transition-Age Young Adults
Young Adult SupportCatalyst supports transition-age young adults ages 18–24 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including young people leaving foster care.
Referrals are accepted from community partners and organizations, and young people experiencing homelessness may also refer themselves. The organization's separate short-term residential therapeutic program is a different service and accepts referrals only through Juvenile Probation and Social Services — it is not a self-serve resource. Confirm current coverage and openings directly with the program.
- Service area
- Serves Stockton and San Joaquin County
- Who it is for
- Who it is for: Transition-age youth ages 18–24 experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
- Phone
- (209) 466-0853
✓ Verified Resource· Last reviewed: August 2026
LEARN ABOUT CATALYST - RESOURCE FOR FOSTER YOUTH
Foster Love (Together We Rise)
Family Fellowship Scholarship for Students with Foster Care Experience
Young Adult SupportEducation & ScholarshipsA scholarship for young people with foster care experience who are pursuing a bachelor's degree at an accredited public or nonprofit college or university. Students apply directly through Foster Love's scholarship portal — no caseworker referral is required.
Applications are closed at this time. The official page states the next cycle opens in 2027; the 2026 cycle closed on May 1, 2026. Check the official page for the reopening date.
- Service area
- Nationwide
- Who it is for
- Who it is for: Foster Love states applicants must be 18-24 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent, be accepted to an accredited public or nonprofit college or university, plan to enroll full time, be pursuing an undergraduate bachelor's degree, and hold U.S. citizenship. Applicants must also have lived in public or private foster care for at least 12 consecutive months up to and including their 18th birthday, or have been adopted or placed in legal guardianship from foster care after age 13, or have been orphaned for at least one year at the time of their 18th birthday.
- Commitment
- Annual application cycle.
- Phone
- (714) 502-5414
✓ Verified Resource· Last reviewed: August 2026
SEE SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS - RESOURCE FOR FOSTER YOUTH
FosterClub
Transition Toolkit: Free Planning Guide for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Young Adult SupportFosterClub's Transition Toolkit is a youth-involved guide for building a transition plan as a young person prepares to leave foster care. The download is free and open to anyone.
This is a free downloadable resource, not an application. A printed version is also sold separately by FosterClub.
- Service area
- Nationwide
- Who it is for
- Who it is for: FosterClub states no eligibility requirements for the free download. The toolkit is described as a way to develop a transition plan for foster youth aging out of care.
✓ Verified Resource· Last reviewed: August 2026
DOWNLOAD THE FREE TOOLKIT - RESOURCE FOR FOSTER YOUTH
FosterClub
AllStar Internship: Paid Leadership Program for Young People with Foster Care Experience
Young Adult SupportEmploymentFosterClub's AllStar internship is a hybrid six-week professional and personal development program for young people with lived experience in foster care, including one week of in-person service in Oregon. AllStars receive a $400 per week living allowance, a $600 completion honorarium and a $55 telecom stipend.
Young people apply from anywhere in the United States, but the program requires travel to Oregon during the in-person week. FosterClub published 2026 session dates of June 29 to August 7, with Oregon travel July 25 to August 1. Whether applications are currently open is not stated on the program page, so check the page for the current cycle.
- Service area
- Nationwide
- Who it is for
- Who it is for: FosterClub states applicants must have first-hand experience in the child welfare system or foster care, be between the ages of 18 and 24 during program dates, have consistent access to high-speed internet, be able to engage online with the cohort for five hours daily during virtual weeks, and travel to Oregon for training and conference support.
- Commitment
- Six-week program, including one week in person in Oregon
✓ Verified Resource· Last reviewed: August 2026
SEE INTERNSHIP DETAILS - RESOURCE FOR FOSTER YOUTH
FosterClub
Permanency Pact: Free Tool for Building a Lifelong Supportive Adult Connection
MentoringYoung Adult SupportThe Permanency Pact is a free FosterClub tool in which a supportive adult pledges specific supports to a young person in foster care, with the goal of a lifelong, kin-like relationship. It is completed together by the young person and the adult.
This is a free tool used jointly by a young person and a supportive adult, not a program that assigns a mentor.
- Service area
- Nationwide
- Who it is for
- Who it is for: FosterClub states no eligibility requirements for the free download. The tool is designed for a young person in foster care together with a supportive adult.
✓ Verified Resource· Last reviewed: August 2026
DOWNLOAD THE PERMANENCY PACT - RESOURCE FOR FOSTER YOUTH
FosterClub
Peer Support and Leadership for Young People in Foster Care
MentoringYoung Adult SupportFosterClub provides direct support to young people who experience foster care through peer support, resources and the AllStar internship, a paid leadership program for young people with lived foster care experience.
The AllStar internship is a competitive application program with its own cohort schedule. General peer support and resources are open to young people with foster care experience.
- Service area
- Nationwide
✓ Verified Resource· Last reviewed: August 2026
EXPLORE FOSTERCLUB - RESOURCE FOR FOSTER YOUTH
iFoster
Free Membership, Resources and Transition Support
Young Adult SupportiFoster offers a free membership portal with support for daily living expenses, discounts, education and employment resources, and support for youth moving from foster care toward independence.
iFoster membership is free and open across all 50 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. Several iFoster direct-service programs, including peer support specialists, AmeriCorps peer navigators and health internships, are offered only in California.
- Service area
- Nationwide
- Who it is for
- Who it is for: Children, youth and young adults impacted by foster care, along with their caregivers. iFoster describes transition-age support for youth from 16 to 26.
- Phone
- 1-855-936-7837
✓ Verified Resource· Last reviewed: August 2026
JOIN IFOSTER FREE - RESOURCE FOR FOSTER YOUTH
Main Street Youth & Family Services
Youth Workforce Development Program
EmploymentAn employment-services and workforce-development program for young people ages 16–30 who live in Stockton.
This program is for young people themselves, and is limited to Stockton residents rather than all of San Joaquin County. Confirm current openings and requirements directly with the program.
- Service area
- Stockton, California (Stockton residents only)
- Who it is for
- Who it is for: Young people ages 16–30 who are Stockton residents. Applicants must not have previously participated in an AmeriCorps program.
- Phone
- 209-478-4554
✓ Verified Resource· Last reviewed: August 2026
EXPLORE WORKFORCE SUPPORT - RESOURCE FOR FOSTER YOUTH
Main Street Youth & Family Services
Transitional Housing Program (THP+NMD) for Foster Youth
Young Adult SupportA transitional housing program for current and former foster youth ages 18–21 who are participating in extended foster care.
You can begin by asking your county social worker for a referral, or by calling the office directly (209-478-4554, option 8). The program conducts an interview to see whether it is the right fit.
- Service area
- San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties, California
- Who it is for
- Who it is for: Current or former foster youth ages 18–21, who were in foster care on their 16th birthday, and who currently live in San Joaquin or Stanislaus County. Youth on probation may qualify.
- Phone
- 209-478-4554
✓ Verified Resource· Last reviewed: August 2026
LEARN ABOUT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING - RESOURCE FOR FOSTER YOUTH
Mary Graham Scholarship Foundation
College & Trade School Scholarship and Support
Education & ScholarshipsEducational funding for eligible current and former foster youth connected to San Joaquin County. There is no age limit.
Confirm current application details, deadlines and qualifying educational expenses directly with the foundation.
- Service area
- San Joaquin County, California
- Who it is for
- Who it is for: Current or former foster youth with foster-care history in San Joaquin County who currently live in San Joaquin County, are enrolled in an accredited college or trade school, and have unmet financial need after applying for financial aid. No age limit.
- Phone
- (209) 471-3003
✓ Verified Resource· Last reviewed: August 2026
LEARN ABOUT THIS SCHOLARSHIP - RESOURCE FOR FOSTER YOUTH
San Joaquin County Independent Living Program
Independent Living Program Support for Foster Youth
Young Adult SupportThe county Independent Living Program helps foster youth prepare for adulthood through transition planning and connections to education, employment, housing and independent-living resources.
- Service area
- San Joaquin County, California
✓ Verified Resource· Last reviewed: August 2026
- RESOURCE FOR FOSTER YOUTH
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services — Administration for Children and Families (Fostering the Future)
Fostering the Future Accounts (Savings & Investment Accounts for Children in Foster Care)
Young Adult SupportPart of the federal Fostering the Future initiative, these are Trump Accounts opened for children and youth in foster care so savings can grow until they reach adulthood. A state child welfare agency opens the account; there is no application for youth or caregivers to submit. When the young person turns 18, they obtain control of the account.
Nationwide framework; participation is state by state. ACF states the goal is for all states to open accounts for eligible children in foster care by December 2027, so availability may vary by state today.
- Service area
- Nationwide (state participation varies)
- Who it is for
- Who it is for: As stated by the Administration for Children and Families: a state child welfare agency may open an account for any eligible child in its legal custody who has been issued a Social Security Number and does not already have an account. Eligible children are those under 18 years old with a valid Social Security number.
✓ Verified Resource· Last reviewed: August 2026
READ THE OFFICIAL FAQ - RESOURCE FOR FOSTER YOUTH
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Melania Trump Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Housing Vouchers
Young Adult SupportFYI makes Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance available through Public Housing Agencies working in partnership with public child welfare agencies, for young people who have left or are leaving foster care and are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Assistance can last up to 36 months, with up to 24 additional months possible under the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities provisions.
Available nationwide, but only where the local Public Housing Agency participates and has vouchers available.
- Service area
- Nationwide (local housing agency participation varies)
- Who it is for
- Who it is for: As stated by HUD: youth at least 18 years and not more than 24 years of age (have not reached their 25th birthday) who left foster care, or will leave foster care within 180 days in accordance with a transition plan described in Section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act, and are homeless or are at risk of becoming homelessness at age 16 or older.
✓ Verified Resource· Last reviewed: August 2026
FIND YOUR LOCAL HOUSING AGENCY
“Verified Resource” means the listing was reviewed by Help Foster Youth for listing accuracy. It is not a government certification, license check or endorsement.
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