The Hope Center at Pullen connects young people aging out of foster care in Wake County with the resources and support they need for a successful transition to adulthood.  Education is fundamental to this goal, but for many young people in foster care, educational achievement feels out of reach. Some youth enter foster care already performing below grade level, and the abrupt changes in schools experienced by many can disrupt their progress.  The members of The Art of Giving, a giving circle administered by Triangle Community Foundation, recognize the challenges and potential of young people in foster care and are supporting The Hope Center’s work to promote their academic and educational success with a grant of $10,000.

The Art of Giving grant will help ensure that girls and young women in foster care will be matched with volunteer community tutors and will be offered the opportunity to participate in 10-week paid internships in their areas of interest, where they will learn valuable employment skills, recognize their self-worth, and be inspired to aim for higher educational and career goals.

Our Director of Transition Programs sums up our calling:  “We are the consistent, soft whisper of a ‘yes’ in a sea of ‘no’s.’” Yes, that hurt can heal.  Yes, you are smart.  Yes, you are capable.  Yes, you can reach for your dreams.  Yes, you have much to contribute to the world.

We are grateful to the members of The Art of Giving for giving their voices to the growing chorus of “yes’s” that our young people need to hear as they overcome barriers, and for creating opportunities that will allow girls and young women with a history in foster care to recognize their potential as they transition to adulthood.