Aging out of foster care programs can be a scary experience for many teens, especially in a world where their former support system had failed them.
After reaching the age of 18, these “at risk” youth are once again faced with another move, but this time, they will be on their own.
Located in Summerton, the Woman-to-Woman group is opening its doors to provide assistance and transitioning skills to youth aging out of the system.
The business consists of a group of women who want to reach out and be a stepping stone for vulnerable women, offering all the support they need to gain confidence in their new lives.
Once exclusive to children and teen mothers aging out of foster care in group homes and foster homes, the group is branching out into the community offering its services to those who qualify and are in need of help.
"Youth often fall through the cracks and are left to cope by themselves, often still in need of help. Still in need of coping skills for past abuse and neglect issues, these teens often spend their lives moving from home to home," said Woman-to-Woman CEO Sebrina Johnson.
The small Summerton business has opened an office on Main Street in Summerton. The grand opening for the business is set for April 8.
The group teaches job skills, resume writing, financial assistance, guidance and assistance with obtaining a home for the first time after leaving foster care.
Johnson said that she is looking forward to making a difference in the community with youth who need help with transitioning. She said the group has partnered with Harvest Hope Food Bank in order to stay consistent in helping distribute food within the Clarendon area community.
"We will meet once a month with Harvest Hope," said Johnson. "We hosted a diaper drive to raise money last year, and we also support Harvest Hope's food drive to distribute food to people in need when their food supply is low. "
“In the future, we hope to open a group transitional home for children that are aging out of foster care, so that it will allow them at least 12 to 24 months once they have aged out of the system," she added. "(This will allow them) to get on their feet (and) to receive the transitional help that they need to become responsible and functional citizens and to prepare them for life."
Johnson said that when youths age out of foster care, many "tend to turn back to drugs and slip back into the situations that they were once taken out of by authorities."
"They follow patterns and repeat life situations that they had to escape from in the first place," she said. "(We are) trying to break the cycle by teaching them strategies of life, therefore, supplying them with all the tools they need so that their quality of life will improve drastically once they step out into the world."
She said the group will also help those who age out to receive all of the services and benefits they are entitled to.
“The services provided are designed to prevent youth from ending up back in abusive relationships and back into the familiar cycles,” said Johnson. “We know we can’t save every woman but the ones that we are able to save we will save.
She said the group is also working with Clarendon Relay for Life, having set up a table this past weekend at the Gospel Extravaganza held at Weldon Auditorium. She said the group will also organize fundraiser walks to raise money for domestic violence victims.
“We have our eyes set on a home; at the moment it is unavailable at this time however," she said. "But until it is, we will be looking at trying to get funding for our venture. We are in the beginning stages of the group home, but I feel positive about what we are doing."
