foster youth

Trees

Decorating Trees

in Our Youth  by Lisa 0 comments

We continue our gratitude to the men’s ministry at Mariners Church- #MenofMariners, for their annual Christmas tree distribution to our residents at the Launch Pad. Their unselfish gift of service is an inspiration to us all. Residents of our Launch Pad are always grateful for the fresh trees to delight over and decorate with their children.

They add a real sense of Christmas to our homes. The beautiful trees are also a visual reminder that we are not alone, that people do care about us. We are grateful to the Men of Mariners for their thoughtfulness and kindness.

Last Saturday, as the trees were distributed and brought into one of our residences, three-year-old Bella stood with a smile on her face and said “thank you!” Later, while we were unpacking the ornaments, Jasmine, our resident and young mother, informed us with tears in her eyes that she had never been able to decorate a tree with her daughter.

This time of year, is hard for foster youth being separated from family and walking through pain alone. But this Christmas Eve, they have a tree of their own to decorate surrounded by people who care about them.

We once again thank the Men of Mariners and all those community members that support our foster youth in need. When a child is hurting, it’s never too late to let them know they are loved.

– The Launch Pad staff

Thankful

Thankful Hearts

in Our Youth  by Lisa 0 comments

On Monday, November 22nd, a few members of Grace Fellowship Church cooked and delivered a complete Thanksgiving dinner to our residents at the Launch Pad. The group went above and beyond by not only preparing all the dishes for a full Thanksgiving celebration but also providing decorations and table settings to make the residents’ turkey day feel extra special. We are deeply appreciative of their generous hearts and desire to serve the at-risk youth we walk alongside.

This dinner was especially meaningful for our residents since they don’t often have the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with their families. As a result, having supper together provided them the pleasure of sharing a meal and breaking bread with the TLF Launch Pad volunteers and staff.

This activity also assisted them in stepping out of their comfort zones and participating in the community. Our kids frequently eat fast food because it’s quick and inexpensive, but this experience allowed them to slow down and enjoy a delicious holiday meal in a caring family-type environment.

The house was also a gathering place to learn social skills and develop connections with others outside their circle of friends, as well as an opportunity to practice those abilities. It created a safe and secure haven for our residents to enjoy leisure time away from work, school, and other life difficulties they might be facing.

We did a creative art activity with the residents called the “Gratitude Tree.” Each resident created a tree and placed leaves on it, with things they are grateful for. It was great to hear from each resident about what they are thankful for, as well as what is most important to them. This game allowed the residents to form stronger relationships and interact with one another.

We are thankful for the friendships we have forged with Grace Fellowship Church and look forward to continuing to serve alongside them in future outreach deeper opportunities.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. -Hebrews 13:16

Loads Filled with Love

A Load Filled with Love

in Mentor Stories  by Lisa 0 comments

It’s funny how simple things can make such a difference.

Sue and her small group put together a basket during our Loads of Love campaign for one of our new residents at the Launch Pad, who moved in at the beginning of September. The basket they dropped off made its way into the hands of our new resident Daysha, an eighteen-year-old young woman transitioning into independence.

Daysha moved in with minimal personal items. When our staff gave her the basket, filled with toiletries and essentials for moving in, she was very appreciative and shared that it meant a lot to her that we would support her in that way.

Daysha has big dreams and we are excited about helping her achieve them. Daysha is pursuing a program for Culinary School, as she desires to become a chef.  She is currently working with our Program Coordinator to find a part-time job, is learning about how to budget, and is studying to take her Drivers’ Permit test.

Daysha has the most difficulty with establishing healthy boundaries with her family and motivating herself to prioritize her own aspirations over family obligations and desires. She is also overcoming her anxiety of not being able to achieve her objectives through therapy.

We are excited for Daysha! We believe she will accomplish all that she sets out to do. Thank you Sue for your thoughtful gift filled with encouragement!

The Launch Pad is a family-based community-based in Orange County, CA that supports young adults ages 18 to 21 who have been emancipated from foster care, those participating in extended foster care, and those at risk of homelessness. We are much more than simply a safeguard for these youngsters; we provide them with a safe and permanent family while working to assist them to realize their unrealized potential and ambitions.

We provide a wide range of services and assistance that picks up where foster care leaves off. We develop a unique “take-off plan” for each young adult to achieve his or her objectives in life. A variety of support and activities, including budget coaches, tutors, employment and education planning, daily living, exercise, and fitness, is available through our local partners.

Would you like to make someone’s day by giving them something special? Want help picking it out? Contact us at 949-899-8100.

Art Therapy

Art Therapy

in Our Youth  by Lisa 0 comments

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Some of our Launch Pad residents spent a peaceful afternoon working through art therapy for inner exploration. The young women giggled and murmured as they created paintings depicting the joy in their lives.

At our Santa Ana Launch Pad home, the Hanger was an ideal location to spread out and express oneself. Multi-talented Karin of Framewerk Imaging, our own social enterprise, shared his therapeutic training by leading residents in the exercise.

Every one of them, in their own words, stated how much they liked it. The emotional release of drawing, painting, or sculpture can have healing and therapeutic effects for foster youth. These calming methods of working through emotions and expressing oneself can help to understand certain things that talk therapy cannot articulate.

At The Launch Pad, we are much more than simply a guardian for these young people; instead, we work with them to help them realize their untapped potential and ambitions. We provide a variety of services and support that help kids transition into adulthood. A personalized “take-off strategy” is developed to meet each young person’s unique life objectives.

Your kindness and care for our Launch Pad residents has helped make this wonderful creative break and other activities like it possible. Thank you so much for your love and attention to these young women as they begin rebuilding their lives — it is appreciated!

TLF

Angels Game in Community

in Our Youth  by Lisa 0 comments

The Launch Pad residents were recently given the opportunity to attend an Angels Baseball game. The league has been a long-time financial and in-kind supporter of TLF. It’s these sorts of evenings that allow our residents to unwind, try new things, have fun, and most importantly, be in touch with one another. And we even made the jumbotron!

“I haven’t had this much fun in a long time,” said one resident.

“It was fun to hang out with other residents and just be able to let loose and enjoy myself. I tend to be more serious and am always focused on my worries or things I have to get done. Tonight, was a great chance to just be me and have fun. Thank you!”

These types of outings are important for our residents. They provide an opportunity to get to know one another outside of their normal routines and socialize in a fun, relaxed setting. It’s also a chance for them to see that there is more to life than their current situation and that there are people who care about them.

When you support the Launch pad through TLF’s Annual Campaign, you are supporting the lives of our residents. Be sure to check out our video, where you can learn more about one of our resident’s stories and how she has beat back homelessness. Our goal is to provide housing, support services, and opportunities for enrichment that will help them keep pace with life’s challenges so they can move forward on a brighter path.

Emily Graduates from High School!

in Our Youth  by Lisa 0 comments

Before Emily came to the Launch Pad, she faced many obstacles while trying to finish her high school diploma. We were so excited to welcome Emily, and her two young children, to the Launch Pad in August of 2020. Like all foster youth who come to the Launch Pad, she was paired with mentors we call her ‘flight crew.’ With the help of her mentors and the TLF staff, Emily was able to continue working on her high school degree and successfully graduated just a few months later in October! This was an important milestone for Emily, showing her that she was able to conquer the circumstances that made finishing high school difficult and graduate!

 

 

In California, foster youth face greater rates of being absent from school, getting suspended, not meeting academic standards, as well as many other difficulties that make it harder for foster youth to obtain their high school diploma. Only 56% of foster youth graduate high school in the normal four-year period, compared to an 85% four-year graduation rate of their peers. After foster youth exit the system, they often have little resources for help and support, making it extremely unlikely they will finish their high school academic career.

 

 

We are so grateful to be able to work with foster youth, like Emily, and help them get the support they need to be able to finish high school and continue on to higher education. Emily’s success is important to her and to us and we are excited to celebrate with her!

HOW THE LAUNCH PAD HAS TRANSFORMED ME

in Mentor Stories / Our Youth  by Lisa 0 comments

 

“TLF’s team has made all the difference for me. [A TLF staffer] and I acknowledged how far I’ve come in the two months I have lived here, and she asked me what the difference has been with me before TLF vs. now. The difference is TLF has surrounded me with a support system that I did not have before. Whether it’s the behind the scenes support team in the office, or my flight crew (i.e. mentor, driving instructor, on-site care coordinators, etc. ) who I interact with more often, this support system has been encouraging, kind, positive, empathetic, patient and so up-lifting. I am constantly in my head, doubting myself and battling anxiety and depression daily. Every single person in my support system has been instrumental in lifting me, encouraging me, reaffirming me, instilling confidence in me, helping me fight my battles and accomplish my goals throughout my time here.

Every single person in my support system has been instrumental in lifting me, encouraging me, reaffirming me, instilling confidence in me, helping me fight my battles and accomplish my goals throughout my time here.

I think one of the most important components about this support system is the patience everyone has had with me. In taking the time to understand where I’m coming from and the obstacles I face, acknowledging the significance of myself approaching each task and goal with baby steps, and reaffirming that I AM capable and that it is okay to progress at the pace that is best for me; it doesn’t matter that my pace may be a bit slower than others. That component is huge because it has essentially prevented me from reverting back to an unhealthy mentality that would ultimately fuel my anxiety and depression and make my time here much more difficult. TLF has created an environment that I feel comfortable enough to grow and push myself in, and the result has been surprising, especially for me. I would have thought it impossible to have come this far just couple months ago. I have this support system and TLF to thank.”

Interested in becoming a flight crew member, and taking a front seat in stories like these? Check out our calendar for our upcoming mentor training this month.

A mentors perspective

in Our Youth  by Lisa 0 comments

My first summer going to camp was “interesting.”  I didn’t want to go originally, but a friend kept bugging me over and over again to go.  Eventually I caved in and signed up.  I met Sydney and immediately noticed how outgoing she was…which was REALLY good because I was nervous.  Throughout the entire camp she led a small group of people (campers and counselors) around the low ropes course.  I didn’t have to think hardly at all because she just did it all.  I remember the first camp FLEW BY WAAAY TOO FAST and I was really bummed to say bye to Sydney.  I had so much fun completing challenges with her, rushing to breakfast together, getting beat in card games, and hearing pieces of her story.  As I drove home I was already thinking about the second year and hoping she would show up.  I wanted to beat her at cards, learn more about her, and scream louder as she tackled the high ropes and zip line.  When she showed up the second year I got a HUGE hug and it was hard for me to not to think about how quickly camp would end.  By the third year we kind of just expected to see each other and running jump-hugs ensued.  Our third camp was held at a different location so we were able to “explore” the activities “for the first time” again.  I started thinking about mentoring Sydney outside of camp after our third camp ended. .  The last two years at camp has been very different for us.  Other counselors are meeting their campers for the first time, and mine already knows I need coffee ASAP when I wake up.  Other counselors don’t know what to say to their camper, we have inside jokes…from three years ago.  Over the last five years, I have met many kids through Teen Leadership Camp, but Sydney will always be my munchkin.  Since our first camp I have watched her heart grow so much.  When she was twelve she struggled trying to find explanations for her situation, now at sixteen she isn’t consumed by those reasons.  She focuses, instead, on her future goals and college plans.  When she was twelve she got along with everybody because of her bouncy personality, now she gets along with everyone because she listens to their stories and shares in their pain.  Sydney stands out from other kids in many ways.  She is very self motivated and thoughtful.  She always helps to take care of her little sister and at camp she looks out for other rookie campers.  She isn’t swayed by peer pressure and she isn’t intimidated to stand up for what’s right.  She has found an obvious inner peace with GOD and that brings SO MUCH beauty to her face and joy to her voice.

– Tina; TLC counselor and mentor