In fall 2016 an exciting new project launched in the Triangle that promises to provide opportunities for young people transitioning out of foster care to improve their employment skills, to live healthier lives, and to become strong community-wide advocates for healthier living.
This unique project, Fostering Wellness, focuses on the local food system as the vehicle to create these new opportunities. The local food system is a booming sector in the Triangle and demand for competent, reliable employees is high. In addition, the food system has few barriers for entry and provides numerous ways for young people to participate in the growing, harvesting, processing, packaging, transporting, marketing, and disposing of food.
Throughout the year, Fostering Wellness hosts eight-week workforce readiness programs focused on a variety of different topics relevant to the food system. Topics include culinary arts, customer service and administration, logistics, hospitality, and more. Through these programs, Fostering Wellness participants receive skills-based training in aspects of the food system, one-on-one career development coaching, opportunities to interact with local leaders and employers in the food system, and access to supportive services in housing, education, and other areas.
This program is open to young people between the ages of 18 and 25 living in Wake, Durham, or Orange counties who have transitioned out of foster care. For more information, please contact Stacy Bluth, Executive Director, at [email protected].
Fostering Wellness is funded through a GSK Impact Grant and is administered through the collaboration of several nonprofit agencies including SaySo (Strong Able Youth Speaking Out), Community Partnerships, Inc., Dress for Success, Life Skills Foundation, Interfaith Food Shuttle, The Hope Center at Pullen, and United Way of the Greater Triangle.
