Bridge to Self Sufficiency

Turning 18 should be a joyful milestone in a young person’s life. But for many youth in foster care in Miami-Dade, turning 18 can mean facing the difficult reality of navigating adulthood on their own.

To help youth prepare for the challenges of “aging out,” Voices for Children secured funding to expand support through two dedicated roles:

• Independent Living Specialist
• Independent Living Advocate

Our Independent Living Specialist focuses on addressing key barriers that can prevent youth from successfully transitioning out of foster care while ensuring advocacy for youth who choose to extend their time in care.

• Conducting intensive file reviews of selected youth
• Focusing on best practice milestones, such as:
  • Placement stability
  • Referrals
  • Services
  • Recent court findings

Working alongside this role, our Independent Living Advocate provides hands-on support directly to youth, helping them:

• Navigate resources
• Build life skills
• Prepare for a stable and successful transition into adulthood

Opening Doors to Independence

In the summer of 2025, we celebrated an inspiring milestone as youth moved into their very first apartments: fully furnished and stocked with essentials to begin their journeys toward independence.

In the days leading up to move-in, our Independent Living Team, staff, and volunteers worked tirelessly to build furniture, organize supplies, and prepare each space with care. The result was transformational: youth stepping into warm, welcoming homes that were truly their own.

This milestone was made possible through the generosity of the Lopez Family Charitable Foundation, Cornerstone Group, dedicated volunteers from Citrus Family Care Network, our donors, Board, and committed team. Together, we provided more than apartments, we provided safety, dignity, and the foundation for a brighter future.

But the need continues. As more youth transition into new placements, they still need essentials like furniture, kitchen supplies, and bedding. Your continued support ensures these young people enter adulthood with stability, confidence, and hope, turning a first apartment into the start of a brighter future.