Last Thursday, we were fortunate enough to have Gary Stangler, Executive Director for the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative speak to staff, donors, and youth at Nebraska Children and Families Foundation. The theme of the talk was simple: “Foster youth in transition are among the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Stangler. Supporting their transition, “is not only the right thing to do, but it is economically smart.”
The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative is working to ensure that every young person leaving foster care has the opportunities and support needed for a successful transition to adulthood. They do this by working with states and communities across the country to address policies, promote youth engagement, evaluate current systems, apply data-based research, and create community partnerships. The result is more opportunities for young people to achieve positive outcomes in permanence, education, employment, housing, health, financial capability, and social capital.
Nebraska Children's mission is to maximize the potential of Nebraska’s children, youth, and families through collaboration and community-centered impact.
Growing the Good Life 
[…] few months ago, we posted a video discussing the disastrous outcomes that plague so many youth who age out of foster care. The statistics are clear . . . the outlook is […]
[…] of his tenure to increasing opportunities for young people in foster care. Other speakers included Gary Stangler (Executive Director of the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative), Patrick McCarthy (President and CEO of the Annie E. Casey Foundation), and young people who have […]
[…] This population is transient. They’re at an age where poor decision making is a practically a biological imperative. Most of them are state wards. They often have histories of trauma. And they’re susceptible to the poor outcomes associated with aging out of foster care with no permanent situation. […]
[…] Watch Gary Stangler of the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative explain why programs like Bridge… […]