No one can do everything on their own. We all have help along the way, and some of us are fortunate to have more assistance than others. For foster children who have aged out of the system or will be reaching that milestone shortly, it can be difficult to find mentorship and support. Fortunately, steps like AB12 California—officially titled the California Fostering Connections to Success Act—are changing that. This landmark legislation, passed in 2010 and implemented in 2012, allows eligible youth to remain in foster care until age 21, providing extended resources and guidance. This is a huge step toward ensuring young people leaving the foster system have every opportunity to build a strong foundation for the life ahead.

Why Mentorship Matters

For an adult, it’s hard to remember what it was like being a kid. The world looked totally different, and you didn’t have the perspective that you may have now. Even basic things to the average adult can be quite intimidating to a child. This is where mentorship comes in and the value of things like AB12 California comes to the forefront. When a young person who is leaving the foster system has access to mentorship and other benefits that will help them get started in adult life, it can truly make all of the difference. Rather than potentially ending up on the streets or having no opportunities or direction, young adults with a mentor guiding them will have the odds in their favor at long last. 

Empowering Youth

It’s the many advantages that can be gained through AB12 California that make it so important to the young people who are able to utilize what it offers. It’s about far more than just transitional housing, although that is certainly important. It’s also about providing valuable mentorship on topics like pursuing higher education or finding employment. Whatever parts of the program happen to benefit each individual, there is no doubt that this is an important, useful opportunity for countless young people to explore. 

If you are eligible for the transitional housing program and interested in learning more, apply now. If you want to become a mentor for the young adults in the THP program, contact Children First Foster Family Agency.

Children First FFA is a private, non-profit organization in Northern California that is dedicated to helping change lives by providing a safe place for children to heal in a culture of love, acceptance, and consistency.

Author: Children First FFA

Published: February 5, 2025

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