Relationships – The most impactful loss for youth who move out of institutional care is not economic, but relational. In many cases, they suddenly don’t have anyone to ask basic questions that most young adults would still ask their parents or older siblings. We are creating a network of mentors who can build trust with the young adults and become their go-to people whether they are in a crisis or just want to talk to about their day.

Support – We help the young adults to continue developing skills needed for sustainable independence. This includes, among other abilities, management of personal finances and the ability to gain and retain employment. We look for ways to support their psychological needs as well, since the scars from childhood trauma do not magically heal at age 18.

Education – Most of the young adults still have a need and desire to continue studying. This may be high school, vocational school, or university. We create formal support plans for young adults who are also studying, whether this be through scholarships or with non-monetary support such as helping them identify their calling so that they can focus on perfecting the necessary skills.

Network – We hope to continue building cooperation among organizations and businesses that are invested in creating more opportunities in Honduras for these young adults. The more we work together, the more likely our young adults are to complete their goals and to become fully independent and stable adults.