Shared Youth Vision Grant

The Community Foundation was awarded the Shared Youth Vision grant with the goal of improving outcomes among youth (14-24) who are currently involved in or who have aged out of care through the Iowa Child Welfare or Juvenile Justice Systems. Research has shown that youth aging out of the foster care system are more at-risk for homelessness, unemployment, teen pregnancy, and dropping out of high school.

Dubuque knows we can do better for our youth. Since receiving the grant, Dubuque has established a Shared Youth Vision Grant Committee which includes over 30 local service providers. This committee meets monthly to share information, collaborate and develop resources to meet the goals of the grant. To learn more about the successes and resources developed for youth aging out of foster care in the Dubuque community click on the links below.

• Community connections – Developing a connection to their community helps youth be successful contributing members. Dubuque has elevate (youth group), Iowa Youth Dream Team, a list of activities for under $5 for youth and a Resource Guide to help youth form this connection.
   
• Education – Education is a vital component of achieving self-sufficiency. In Dubuque we have the Iowa Aftercare Program through Four Oaks and have developed Door Openers to assist youth into post-secondary education and vocational training.
   
• Employment – Recognizing the value of reliable employment, Dubuque supports Project HOPE, our employment initiative for the unemployed and underemployed. Additionally, we seek grant opportunities to help bridge the gap to employment for our youth such as Youth Offender Expansion Grant and the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).
• Financial Literacy – To address the need for financial literacy training for youth in care, Dubuque has collaborated with the Jim Casey Foundation to offer Opportunity Passport to youth 16-21 years old who have been in care after his/her 14th birthday.
   
• Housing – Our youth cannot achieve self-sufficiency without stable, safe housing. Dubuque’s Housing Department now offers preference points for Section 8 Housing for youth who have aged out of the foster care system. Youth participating in elevate also offer apartment makeovers for youth who have already aged out of foster care and are living on their own.
   
• Mentoring – The positive benefits of providing a mentor in the life of a child are innumerous. Therefore, Dubuque worked with the Iowa Child Advocacy Board to expand the CASA program to include CASAs for older youth in care. Additionally, we support a group mentoring program called Dare to Be A King offered by the Dubuque Community Y and Juvenile Court Services for young African American boys in the Dubuque community.
• Research and Data Collection – To gain a better understanding of our local strengths and weaknesses, we conducted a local Resource/Gap analysis and have begun collecting data on our local youth in care.

For more information contact the Community Foundation at 563.588.2700.