Author: Lydia McNeil, Communications Manager, Walden Family Services

SAN DIEGO, CA—Walden Family Services is proud to announce that it has a secured a $15,000 grant from San Diego-based St. Germaine’s Children’s Charity in support of their Transitional Housing Program (THP) for foster youth.

In Southern California, there are more than 8000 youth ages 18 through 21 transitioning from foster care to adulthood. Without support, these young adults struggle to succeed: a third will not graduate from high school; fewer than half will be employed; a quarter will be incarcerated within two years; and another quarter will be homeless. Adding other obstacles associated with childhood trauma such as drug use, mental health issues, and early entry into parenthood only compounds problems that could be avoided with the proper safety net in place.

Walden Family Services’ THP program provides this safety net by giving youth the stability and assistance they need to thrive. Young people in THP receive help with housing, training in independent living skills, and counseling and support as they continue their education or maintain employment. The stability given to them through THP is the boost they need to become engaged in their communities, ready to navigate adulthood and—most importantly—able to break the cycle of trauma, abuse, and foster care that many fall into.

Haley Bergam is a former foster youth in Walden’s transitional housing program. She and her older siblings entered foster care when Haley was in the fourth grade. They were extremely fortunate to be placed in one home together—something Walden works hard to accomplish every day. Now 22 and ready to graduate with an Associate’s degree in Biology, Haley credits her foster family and Walden Family Services with giving her the support she needed during her transition to young adulthood.

Walden Family Services is very grateful to St. Germaine Children’s Charity, not only for this opportunity to help San Diego's young people, but for its continued support of Walden’s mission to ensure that all children get the help they need to realize their full potential.