The statistics are startling

Every year approximately 30,000 18- to 21-year-olds age out of the U.S. foster care system.1

Within days of their birthday, many of these teens or young adults are literally pushed out the door, with perhaps a few hundred dollars and a suitcase of clothes. Just like that—with no support, no family to fall back on and no clue what to do—they are expected to suddenly manage on their own.

It’s no wonder that after aging out of foster care, by the time they turn 26…1, 2

20%

have been homeless

80%

of men and the majority of women have been arrested

20%

have not earned a high school diploma or GED

92%

have not earned a college degree

70%

are on government assistance; those with jobs at age 26 make an average of $13,989 per year, which is less than half of the average for all 26-year-olds in the general population

In addition, many are unemployed, struggle with mental health challenges, have substance addiction problems and/or become parents long before they are emotionally and financially prepared to raise children.

MamaK Foundation, a 501(c) nonprofit organization, was created to do something about this.

How We Help

The mission of MamaK Foundation is straightforward: Help teens and young adults successfully adjust to living independently after being in foster care. We want to change lives, one foster care youth at a time.

As we grow our resources and expand our reach, this assistance is likely to take many forms. Our long-term vision includes…

  • Job search assistance – Ensure they know how to create a resume, search for job openings and ace job interviews.
  • Basic life skills lessons – Teach things they may not have picked up in foster care, such as how to shop for groceries, open a bank account, follow a budget and cook a healthy meal.
  • Resource connections – Connect them to housing, health care and other available resources.
  • Mentorship – Have a robust mentorship program through which thoroughly vetted volunteers become a youth’s “go-to adult.”
  • Early assistance – Work with 13- to 18-year-old children who are still in the foster care system, to start mentoring and preparing them for a successful life after foster care. This would include helping bright, motivated teens apply for college admission and scholarships.
  • And much more!

How You Can Help

While there are many ways that MamaK Foundation can change the trajectory of these youth’s lives, we cannot do any of it without the support of people like you.

That’s why we invite you to…

MamaK Foundation’s mission is to prepare vulnerable teenagers to embrace adulthood and live independently after being in foster care.