Fostering Youth Transitions - Willmar Area

Fostering Youth Transitions - Willmar Area is a service that prepares youth for independence. Fostering Youth Transitions - Willmar Area provides guidance and support to youth, up to age 23, who have been in out-of-home placement (i.e., foster care, group homes, juvenile justice placements or change of custody) and are preparing to find their own living situation. We also facilitate connections with their peers who have been in a similar situation.

This experiential independent living skills group includes a strong focus on adventure based learning, leadership and team building skills. It includes retreats and field trips as well as individual transitional and independent living plans for youth who are in or have aged out of out-of-home placement care.

The Youth Leadership Council is a statewide group of current and former foster youth age 14-23. The State Youth Leadership Council focuses on giving youth a voice, changing the system and laws currently in place that affect children and youth in care and their families. The State Youth Leadership Council is broken down into local Youth Leadership Councils around Minnesota, who plan quarterly projects to raise awareness of issues in the foster care system and stand up for youth currently in care. The purpose of the Youth Leadership Council is to be a voice for foster youth, promote and educate about the foster care system and work for positive change.

Youth Leadership Council focuses on:

Leadership: youth meet bi-weekly to discuss and plan projects and upcoming events related to foster care awareness.
Giving youth a voice: youth meet with legislators, judges, attorneys and social workers to address the needs and wants of youth in care. Including attending Foster Child and Youth Day on the Hill!
Community development: youth plan and participate in community events to celebrate foster youth and raise awareness of the foster care system and what life is like as a youth in care. Youth attend community events where they can share what their local Youth Leadership Council is involved in and learn about other organizations within their community.
Collaboration: youth meet with other Youth Leadership Councils from around the state to discuss and plan ways to make a change in systems and provide greater community awareness.

If you have experience as a foster youth and are interested in leadership opportunities, or would like to join a group, please contact us.

We recommend the following organizations and events for young people with experience in foster care:

Foster Club All-Stars – a national network of young people in foster care

Tomorrow’s Leaders Today – Minnesota Youth Leadership Conference