Without assistance, approximately 35% of children aging out of foster care experience being homeless.

Youth living in foster care "age-out" of the system on their 21st birthday. Cardinal McCloskey's Youth Development Program helps to prepare them for living independently.

Since 1989, the Cardinal McCloskey Services Youth Development Program has worked to prepare children ages 14 to 20 living in foster care to transition into self-sufficient adults. The Program is designed to empower these vulnerable adolescents to take charge of their own lives by providing knowledge and skills to make them self-sufficient once they "age out" of care on their 21st birthday.

Preparing Youth for Adulthood provides a system that is attuned to the individual needs of the young people in our care, and that effectively prepares them for adulthood. The six Goals are: Permanency, connections with caring adults; Housing, to reside in stable living situation; Education, youth will be offered opportunities to advance their education and personal development; Employment, youth will be encouraged to take increasing responsibility for their work and life decisions; Individual Needs, young peoples individual needs will be met; On-Going Support, youth will have ongoing support after they age out of foster care.

When a child in foster care turns 14, his or her skill level, after-care options and life plans are assessed. A Life Skills Plan is formulated based on the specific strengths and needs of each adolescent as well as any possible future living arrangements. Services are identified to meet the teen's needs and build upon his/her strengths. This plan is monitored regularly as the social worker interacts with the youth and foster parent over the next few years to prepare the teenager for adulthood.

The Youth Development Program curriculum of basic life skills is taught through three major components: case management, intensive workshops and weekend retreats. Annually the program serves more than 100 teenagers.

Casework and Training Workshops

All children are influenced by the adults in their lives. Those influences can be positive or negative. For children living in foster care, there are often many conflicting influences. As they prepare for adult life, the day-to-day examples and training provided by foster parents are a key component to their becoming successful adults. Cardinal McCloskey Services' social workers work closely with the foster families as well as the youth through on-going casework to ensure positive role models and encouragement.

Cardinal McCloskey Youth Development staff interact closely with the youth through weekly workshops. The workshops cover topics such as interpersonal skills, health topics and human sexuality development, opportunities for higher educational and vocational skills, stable housing options, employment and job seeking skills, financial and money management, awareness of ongoing support that will be provided after the age of 21 upon discharge. The program is designed to assist youth in their preparation for the near future when they will be responsible for their own well-being.

Teenagers in the CMS Youth Development Program are encouraged to pursue higher education. Tutoring and mentoring are an important part of the program. Click here to find out how you can help.

Weekend Training Retreats

The Milieu Training Weekend Retreats are a unique element of the Cardinal McCloskey Youth Development Program. Two times per year, approximately 40 teenagers and 8 - 10 staff members travel to Saugerties, NY to a retreat house where they spend an extended weekend. These weekends provide an opportunity for transitioning teenagers to practice their basic life skills of meeting transportation needs, planning and preparation of meals, and household chores. During the weekend, teenagers participate in small group workshops and large group presentations that address the issues of life skills.

The entire weekend, from choosing roommates to participating in workshops, discussion groups, role playing, craft activities and recreation activities, provides practical experiential training for developing the life skills needed to be successful.

Not only does the weekend provide a concentrated opportunity for these adolescents to focus on their own development and needs, but also offers the opportunity for positive social interaction with one another. Many of these teenagers need the opportunity to be a part of a group who has had similar life experiences and who faces many of the same challenges. By spending the weekend together, these teenagers have the opportunity to share experiences and bond with one another as a support group, which extends well beyond the weekend experience.

Adolescents ages 14 to 20 participate in a Milieu Training Weekend Retreat twice each year. Since most teenagers in foster care generally remain in care until they age-out, youth who begin the program at age 14 will have received sufficient instruction and attend at least 10 Milieu Training Weekend Retreats before living without the safety net of agency support.

Congratulations to Sister Marie Hess, Director of Youth Development and her Staff for providing enjoyable and informative life skill sessions . The Youth Development Program receives support from the Directors, Supervisors, Social Workers and Foster Parents. Working together as a "TEAM", encourages our young people to accomplish their Life Skills for a successful and happy life, making a contribution to society.