It is hard to believe it has been two years since the first young adult moved into our housing program. At the same time, it feels like forever. We have learned so much in those two years and, to celebrate, we want to share some of those lessons with you.
- Housing is critical. It is impossible to hold a job, go to school, or think about anything related to your future when you do not have a stable roof over your head.
- Housing is not enough. The only way to move someone forward is through relationship – actually walking through the hard with them and sharing the knowledge you have learned from where you have gone before them.
- Community is a game changer. True relationship only occurs by being in community together. When we started our community meetings, it meant more work, more time, and more energy. In return, it has meant we have an avenue on which to build community; with the participants, with the volunteers from the
community, and with the participants among themselves. We have found the young adults asking for more community not less.
- We cannot want something for someone more than they want it for themselves. This has been a really hard lesson because no matter what we see in one of the young adults, how much we care about them, or how much we invest it always comes down to a choice that they have to make on what they want for their future. All we can be is a guide along the way.
- There is always more to learn and our program will never “arrive.” We will continue to ask our young adults what they need and what they want. We will also continue to look in our community and beyond for innovative ways to meet those needs.
- Our community is amazing. I truly believe we have
the opportunity to collaborate with some of the most generous, loving, and driven people in the community. They have been a game changer in all that we do.
- We are not done. Until we stop receiving calls that there is another homeless or displaced young adult in the community, we must continue to create spaces for young adults leaving foster care to find stability, learn life lessons in a safe space, and encourage them to go out and find their place in our community.
Thank you for continuing to stand with us and with the young adults. Here is to more lessons, more life change, and more love.
If you would like to support the work of Foster Arizona Housing Project, you can donate a dollar for dollar donation of up to $400 per individual or $800 per couple. Find out more by visiting https://fosterarizonahousingproject.org/donate/.
Kim Vehon
Founder/ CEO
Foster Arizona & Foster Arizona Housing Project
