Sunday, April 23, 2023 | Special Advertising Section 1 R 58 SPONSORED CONTENT PROVIDED BY EILEEN & CALLIE’S PLACE For young women who’ve gone in and out of foster homes their entire lives, finding a safe, steady place to live while transitioning to adulthood is of utmost importance — as is learning basic independent living skills (from budgeting to learning how to load a dishwasher). Without the support needed to achieve this self-sufficiency, foster youth can become dependent upon state aid. There’s an added concern that these young women will later have children who may end up in foster care, too. As Dr. Natalie Ellington, founder and executive director of Eileen & Callie’s Place, says, “If these youth become homeless, their physical and mental health are at risk, adding to the growing number of people on the streets and unable to care for themselves.” Young women in these situations face such roadblocks as obtaining a high school diploma or GED, which consequently impacts their ability to secure employment or obtain housing that will accept a state-issued voucher. Many also struggle with developing the self-confidence needed to compete in life and the coping skills essential to deal with everyday stress. “In the best of situations, most 18-year-olds are not ready to be on their own,” Ellington says. “Research shows the brain is not fully developed until 24/25 years old, but most of us have parents and other adults to lean on through the transition from teenage to adulthood. This population doesn't have that.” That’s when organizations like Kent-based ECP come in, named after the founder and executive director’s mother, Eileen, and mother-in-law, Callie — two women devoted to helping others beyond their immediate families. This dedicaTargeted support helps fostered youth thrive Eileen & Callie’s Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to empowering, educating, and coaching young women aged out of foster care. Volunteer mentors support these young women as they transition into adulthood and learn independent living skills. Learn more at eileenandcalliesplace.org. tion makes perfect sense upon learning that ECP’s admirable mission is to “empower, educate and coach young women aged out of foster care to utilize life skills and community resources to support their ability to sustain independence.” ECP achieves this by providing mentors who support the girls’ transition to adulthood, and who also show up in spaces where a family member might — by attending appointments and hosting celebrations for exciting life achievements. The long-term mentoring also helps participants foster resilience, social connections, socialemotional competence, positive identity development and mental and physical health. Organizations like ECP can model how to cope, communicate (since many have seldom before felt heard) and make decisions (which hasn’t been an option in the past). For Ellington, the biggest reward has been: “Watching these young ladies come into their own; growing, stabilizing, verbalizing their goals.” Admittedly, recruiting mentors to commit to at least a year can prove challenging. Ellington explains that these girls have had social workers, case managers and foster parents frequently enter and exit their lives, from the moment they became part of the system. (One participant had lived in 72 different foster homes.) Because of this, mentor volunteers are asked to devote one year at minimum. It’s crucial for these adults to show up honestly and consistently. “We look at mentors as training wheels, and we know the importance of those wheels when your child is learning to ride a bike,” she says. “If you let go before they say they’re ready and they fall, not only will they not get back on the bike but now they don’t trust you. If however, you run alongside until they say ‘I can do it; even if they fall, they’ll get back on because they made the decision to have you let go. We want to be those training wheels while they transition into adulthood.” These organizations also have the fun-filled task of feting worthy folks who have never before had events thrown in their honor. For example, every year ECP hosts a birthday extravaganza called Celebrate 18! that transitions the 7,000-square-foot space at Auburn Community & Event Center into an enticing boutique, featuring 25-plus racks of new clothing, shoes and accessories, a salon with professional hairdressers, makeup artists and manicurists, plus gifts supplied by local stores. Each girl receives a brand-new, 27-inch rolling duffel bag (to replace the black trash bag used when moving from place to place), and a swag bag stocked with personal hygiene items and a T-shirt. Later, a catered dinner showcases words of affirmation and encouragement shared by foster alum. “Throughout the day we’re constantly asked ‘Why are you doing this?’ and told, ‘This is overwhelming,’ ” Ellington says. For other budding organizations trying to help these young women feel less alone, Ellington is happy to pass along wisdom. “Start with the ‘why,’ and keep it in the forefront,” she says. “Never let go of why you're doing what you're doing, and be patient. In our case we have to remember that relationships aren't built overnight.” Community volunteers, including employers able to hire on the spot, schools and training centers accepting applications, and social service organizations are on hand at Celebrate 18! Donate today! Statistics reveal that within two years of leaving the system, 63% of foster youth do not attain a high school diploma. (Photos courtesy of Eileen & Callie’s Place)
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