Together We Rise Corporation
PROGRAMS
Sweet Cases: Replacing Trash Bags for Children in Foster Care
Sweet Cases are specially crafted duffle bags brimming with comforting items and essentials like a teddy bear, hygiene kit, blanket, pillow, art supplies, and a personalized note. With a Sweet Case, foster youth possess a dependable bag accompanying them on their journey, offering both solace and storage, regardless of their location or circumstances. Foster Love's Sweet Cases are more than just a collection of items; They are a symbol of dignity, hope, and security for children in foster care. When a child is removed from their home, they often find themselves with nothing but a trash bag to carry the few belongings they have left. This heartbreaking reality is not only traumatic but sends a message that their possessions are disposable, further deepening their sense of instability and fear. Foster Love’s Sweet Cases initiative was created to change this narrative. Each Sweet Case is a specially crafted duffle bag filled with comforting essentials, including a teddy bear, a hygiene kit, a blanket, a pillow, art supplies, and a personalized note. It is not just a bag; it is a reminder to foster youth that they matter, that they are more than just a case number. The impact of Sweet Cases extends far beyond the physical items within them. The presence of a dependable bag provides foster youth with a sense of normalcy during a time of chaos, offering comfort and stability wherever they may go. These bags carry more than belongings; they carry the promise of compassion, care, and understanding. When children are faced with constant upheaval and uncertainty, having a Sweet Case to call their own is a small yet powerful symbol that they are not forgotten, that they are seen, and that they are worthy of love and attention. The importance of this act cannot be understated. For many children in foster care, the Sweet Case represents a constant in a life filled with instability. It is something they can rely on as they navigate placement after placement, home after home. Research has shown that personal belongings, especially during times of transition, play an essential role in fostering feelings of psychological well-being. The Sweet Case gives foster youth not just an object but a sense of control over their lives during a time when everything else may feel out of their hands. It offers them a space to keep their precious belongings safe, which can help alleviate the anxiety that comes with such a disruptive experience. Sweet Cases are more than just a physical item. They are a tool for emotional healing. By eliminating the use of trash bags as luggage, we help reduce the stigma foster youth often face and raise their self-esteem during some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives. This program doesn’t just ease the burden of transition; it empowers children in foster care, providing them with a sense of belonging and dignity that is so often overlooked.
In 2024 alone, Foster Love distributed 36,297 Sweet Cases to children in foster care, ensuring that each one had a tangible reminder that they are not just survivors of the system. They are children who deserve to feel secure, loved, and cared for. The act of gifting a Sweet Case also sparks a ripple effect within the community. By involving volunteers in the assembly and distribution process, we increase awareness of the struggles foster youth face, encouraging more individuals to become involved and open to the idea of fostering or adoption.
Family Fellowship: The Nation's Largest Scholarship for Foster Youth
The Family Fellowship program is dedicated to establishing, fostering, and upholding a permanent network of relationships and resources that empower transition-age foster youth to secure their college degrees, become active contributors to their communities, pursue advanced education, and confidently step into the professional workforce. This is achieved through comprehensive services rendered such as full-tuition coverage, financial assistance, mentorship, monthly housing allowances, technology provisions, and continuous emotional support services. The transition from foster care to adulthood is an incredibly challenging journey, especially when youth are expected to navigate it without the family and community networks that so many others rely on. Each year, over 23,000 youth age out of the foster care system, and only 15% of them attend college, with a mere 3% graduating. The Family Fellowship program was created to change these statistics, not just by offering financial support, but by providing comprehensive, wrap-around services designed to ensure the success and well-being of transition-age foster youth throughout their educational journey and beyond. At Foster Love, we understand that financial support is only a fraction of what youth need to truly thrive. The Family Fellowship program goes far beyond tuition assistance, providing holistic support that includes full-tuition coverage, mentorship, monthly housing allowances, technology provisions, and most importantly, continuous emotional support. By establishing a permanent network of relationships and resources, we empower our scholars to earn their college degrees, become active contributors to their communities, pursue advanced education, and confidently step into the professional workforce. We know that in order for foster youth to truly succeed, they need more than just financial aid. They need mentorship, emotional support, career guidance, and the assurance that they are not alone in their journey. By providing these wrap-around services, we are not only changing statistics, we are changing lives. Each youth served by the Family Fellowship program is a story of resilience, success, and transformation. With every graduate, we take one step closer to breaking the cycle of disadvantage and creating a future where foster youth are empowered to achieve their fullest potential.
Since its inception, the Family Fellowship has engaged 80 transition-age youth across seven cohorts, successfully graduating 35 of them. Of those, 90% have completed their undergraduate studies, a staggering achievement given the low national graduation rates for foster youth. What is even more remarkable is that 32 of our graduates have pursued advanced degrees, with nine already having completed their master’s degrees. These are not just numbers, they represent young people whose lives have been profoundly changed through the dedicated support of the Family Fellowship program. Moreover, 100% of graduates who are not currently pursuing postgraduate education have secured employment in their respective fields, a testament to the long-term impact of the program’s holistic approach.
American Industries: Workforce Development for System-Impacted Youth
The American Industries scholarship program was created in response to the success of our Family Fellowship program, expanding on the same principles of holistic support for transition-age foster youth. This program is specifically tailored for current and former foster youth pursuing trade degrees, certifications, and vocational training. Through an annual maximum of $10,000 for up to two years, we aim to relieve the financial burden of obtaining trade certification, licensure, or vocational degrees, empowering youth to take the first step toward a successful career in skilled trades. However, the American Industries program goes beyond just providing financial assistance. We offer a comprehensive array of services, including care packages, personal mentoring, career advancement services, and continuous emotional guidance. These wrap-around supports ensure that our scholarship recipients not only complete their studies but also thrive as they transition into the workforce. The program operates with a focus on fostering personal growth, professional development, and long-term stability. Majorly underwritten by the Joe and Karen Milligan Family Fund, the American Industries scholarship program has also established invaluable partnerships with community colleges, BrandSource, Charles River Laboratories, Ferguson, and other industry leaders. These collaborations enhance the opportunities available to our scholarship recipients, ensuring that they have access to the best resources, training, and career pathways possible. At Foster Love, we are committed to ensuring that every foster youth has the support they need to succeed, not just in the classroom but in their careers and their lives. The American Industries scholarship program exemplifies our dedication to creating lasting change by providing not only the financial resources but the emotional and professional support that foster youth need to thrive in the skilled trades workforce.
Since its inception, the American Industries Trade Scholarship has engaged 35 transition-age youth across three cohorts. We are proud to have graduated 15 students, with an additional eight expected to graduate in early 2025. The program has achieved an impressive 90% retention rate, demonstrating the strength of our model in supporting youth through their educational journeys. To date, 50% of our graduates have secured immediate employment or apprenticeships in their respective fields, setting them on a path to economic self-sufficiency and career growth.
STEM Boxes for Youth in Foster Care
Foster Love’s STEM Boxes program was created in response to the disheartening academic outcomes faced by foster youth. National statistics show that less than half of foster youth graduate from high school, and of those, only 3% go on to earn a college degree. These shocking figures highlight the urgent need for educational initiatives that inspire and engage foster youth. The STEM Box program aims to change that trajectory by sparking an early interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through hands-on, fun, and educational experiences. Each STEM Box is carefully designed to introduce children to the exciting world of STEM by including four experiments that focus on the core elements of these fields: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. With activities such as a dinosaur dig kit, a waddle bot, a catapult, and a tangram puzzle, the STEM Box demonstrates that learning in these areas can be both innovative and enjoyable. In addition to these experiments, each box comes with a lab coat, safety goggles, a name badge, and a special lab notebook that includes four more experiments that can be conducted using common household items. These boxes also feature a curated list of potential STEM careers, encouraging youth to dream big and see the wide range of possibilities available to them in the future. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that STEM jobs will grow by 13% between now and 2027, making these fields ideal for the next generation of learners and workers. By introducing STEM concepts at an early age, we aim to foster a love of learning and a deeper engagement with academics that will stay with foster youth through high school, college, and into their careers. Studies have shown that youth who engage with STEM concepts by age 13 are significantly more likely to remain engaged in academics and pursue higher education. The STEM Boxes program is a powerful tool in reversing the academic disparities that foster youth face, giving them both the resources and the inspiration to succeed. At Foster Love, we believe that by igniting curiosity and passion for these fields, we can change the academic outcomes of foster youth, empowering them to build brighter futures and pursue fulfilling careers in a thriving industry.
In 2024, Foster Love provided over 9,000 STEM Boxes to foster youth, giving them the opportunity to engage with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a hands-on and exciting way. Each box contained carefully crafted experiments that not only made STEM learning accessible but also sparked curiosity and a love for these fields. Through activities like building catapults, assembling waddle bots, and conducting dinosaur digs, children began to see STEM as both innovative and fun, breaking down barriers to academic engagement and showing them that learning can be an exciting adventure.
The long-term impact of introducing foster youth to STEM cannot be overstated. Research shows that early exposure to STEM significantly increases the likelihood that youth will stay engaged in academics through high school and college. By providing these tools and experiences, Foster Love is helping to foster a generation of students who are not only more likely to pursue higher education but also more likely to enter and thrive in STEM-related careers. This early introduction creates a strong foundation for future success, both academically and professionally, and helps close the educational gap that foster youth often face.
By distributing over 9,000 STEM Boxes in 2024, Foster Love is taking a powerful step in ensuring that foster youth are equipped with the knowledge, resources, and inspiration they need to pursue careers in fields that are projected to grow exponentially in the coming years. As these youth explore STEM, they are not just learning about science or math; they are learning to think critically, solve problems, and dream about their futures in ways that were once out of reach. The STEM Boxes program is more than an educational tool; it is an investment in the future of foster youth, equipping them with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in an ever-evolving world.
Disney Days: Reuniting Siblings Separated by the Foster Care System
Foster Love’s annual Disney Days sibling reunification events bring together siblings who have been separated in the foster care system, creating lasting memories and offering a rare opportunity for these children to reconnect and share a magical experience. With events held both in Anaheim at Disneyland and in Orlando at Disney World, Disney Days provides foster youth with the chance to reunite with brothers and sisters they may have lost touch with due to placement changes, creating irreplaceable moments of joy and healing in an environment of wonder and excitement. The importance of sibling reunification cannot be overstated. For many children in foster care, being separated from their siblings can add to the trauma they are already experiencing. Siblings often serve as a source of comfort and stability during times of uncertainty and upheaval. By organizing Disney Days, Foster Love aims to provide not only a fun, memorable experience but also an opportunity for siblings to rebuild their bonds, reaffirm their connection, and regain a sense of belonging. These reunions allow children to experience the joy of togetherness in a place that symbolizes happiness, security, and love. Since its inception, Disney Days has brought over 500 siblings together, facilitating moments of laughter, shared excitement, and the healing that comes from being reunited with family. Foster Love provides everything needed for the event—from purchasing park tickets and providing transportation to arranging volunteers and ensuring all logistical details are taken care of. In addition to park tickets and food, each participant receives personalized souvenirs and event materials, including commemorative photo books, that help capture the memories of their reunion. By creating these unforgettable experiences, Foster Love not only makes a tangible difference in the lives of children who have been separated from their siblings but also reinforces the importance of family, love, and support. Disney Days fosters emotional healing, promotes positive relationships, and provides these youth with irreplaceable memories that will stay with them long after the event. Through these reunions, we are reminding foster youth that family is worth celebrating and that no matter where they go, they will always have their siblings by their side.
Foster Love’s sibling reunification events, held annually at Disneyland in Anaheim and Disney World in Orlando, are some of the most powerful and emotional experiences for children in foster care. Every year, we reunite more than 500 siblings who have been separated by the foster care system, providing them with the rare opportunity to reconnect, rebuild their relationships, and create lasting memories together. These reunions offer more than just a fun day at the theme park; they offer a moment of healing, a chance to restore the bonds that are often the only constants in a child's life.
Research consistently shows that maintaining sibling relationships is crucial to the well-being of children in foster care. Studies indicate that siblings who remain connected throughout their time in foster care experience better emotional, behavioral, and mental health outcomes. They are more likely to feel secure, less anxious, and better able to navigate the trauma of being in care. For many foster youth, siblings provide a sense of familiarity and emotional support that cannot be replaced. Reuniting these children fosters a sense of belonging and stability, which is essential for their growth and resilience.
By bringing together siblings from across the country, Foster Love ensures that these vital relationships are nurtured and celebrated. In addition to facilitating these reunions, we provide all the necessary resources to make the day as seamless and enjoyable as possible. This includes securing park tickets, arranging transportation, providing food and souvenirs, and ensuring every logistical detail is taken care of so that the focus remains solely on the children and their time together.
The impact of these reunions extends far beyond the event itself. For many of these children, the joy and connection they experience during Disney Days serves as a reminder that family is always there for them, even in the most challenging of times. With each reunion, we help reduce the trauma of separation, build stronger emotional bonds, and promote a healthier sense of self-worth. These reunions empower children to carry the strength of their sibling relationships into their futures, helping them navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence and resilience.
Every year, Foster Love’s sibling reunification events create moments of joy, healing, and connection that have a lasting impact on the lives of children in foster care. By preserving these essential relationships, we are helping to ensure that the children we serve are not just surviving, but thriving.
CONTACT
Together We Rise Corporation
560 W Lambert Rd
Brea, CA 92821
Phone: 714-784-6760