Foster Your Future, a non-profit working directly with young adults exiting the foster care system or who have become homeless, is soliciting volunteers and donations.

Ginny Paulsen, an occupational therapist living in town, said she and her husband founded the organization.

“When getting close to turning 60, I decided I needed to give back and volunteered in a couple group homes,” Paulsen said. “I wondered what became of these young adults that aged out of the system. I was saddened to hear that they had little support to become independent adults.

“They are given a couple bus tickets, clothing that fits in a duffel bag, pocket money, and are set off to conquer the world. Most do not have the critical documents of a state ID or social security card required to secure a job.”

Foster Your Future, Inc. is an Arizona-based, non-profit, 501(c) 3 charitable organization that assists these individuals in bettering their future through career and college by providing housing, food and support in all needed areas to access a job, career and educational advancement.

“We use a long-term kinship model to help them build self-sufficiency and success by assisting with housing, furnishings, clothing, food, credentials needed to work, learning financial literacy and obtaining a driver’s license,” Paulsen said.

She added that the organization focuses on long-term career or educational goals.

“With no family to depend on, we become their family so these young adults can have a support system,” she said.

The founders pay all administrative fees; 100 percent of donations go to the young adult programs.

If interested in becoming a mentor or donating to the foundation’s work, contact Paulsen at 602-478-5850.