- info@home4me.org
- PO Box 25123, Charlotte, NC 28229
Home4Me “A Voice for Teens in Foster Care”
While Taking the Concerns of Homelessness from Teens Aging Out of Foster Care.
Home4Me exists to ensure that teens and young adults aging out of foster care are surrounded by and empowered with commitment, connection, and opportunity as they step into their next chapter.
For me, Home4Me is deeply personal. I was raised in foster care, and I experienced firsthand the life-changing power of encouragement, caring relationships, and people who chose to stay connected.
As the Founder of Home4Me and a Motivational Keynote Speaker, I am on a mission to raise national awareness about what our youth in foster care are facing, and to reach as many young people as possible so they know that we are committed to supporting their journey and partnering with colleges, communities, corporations, and churches so every young person experiences this powerful truth:
WE ARE HERE, WE CARE, WE AREN’T GOING ANYWHERE!!!
Home4Me “A Voice for Teens in Foster” is a 501c3 nonprofit organization providing Hope, Opportunities, Mentoring, Education (HOME), and — a sense of family — for teens aging out of foster care and those who aged out attending college. Teens age out of the foster care system on their 18th birthday, and their resources end! Think about that for a moment! If they do not have a plan, a place, or parents, they will become homeless. Together, we can change the outcomes for our aging-out teens! Navigate the Home4Me website for the events, our approach, programs, and how important your involvement, partnerships, and donations are to our young people.
Home4Me serves teens currently in foster care and young adults aged out of the system, with a focused emphasis on students who desire to pursue higher education.
Youth ages 13–18 aging out of foster care
College-bound high school seniors in foster care
Former foster youth enrolled in College or Universities
Young adults navigating housing instability during academic breaks
The statistics are alarming:
Home4Me delivers a coordinated, family-centered solution for youth aging out of foster care, creating a clear, supported pathway to stable housing, college graduation, and financial independence.
• Serving college-bound and college-enrolled foster youth with essential resources and sustained support
• Stabilizing housing to safeguard education and prevent homelessness
• Providing academic success coaching, life skills development, and hands-on financial guidance
• Partnering with colleges, corporations, churches, and community leaders as active partners investing their resources, expertise, and influence in building each young person’s success network
Dillon and Jalen Graduation.
Jalen (right) grew up in foster care with very little care. At an early age, he realized the check was more important than he was. By age 16, he was forced to go to Job Corps, beginning a cycle of instability and homelessness. He enrolled in college only to have it close due to the pandemic. Shortly after returning to school, Jalen was on the verge of dropping out because of a lack of support and nowhere to go when the dorms closed for the summer break, until he met Home4Me and Ms. Donna, whom he now affectionately refers to as Grandma. Jalen developed the skills to work, purchase a car, proudly graduate from college, and move into his first apartment.
“Growing up in foster care, I learned how to be independent early—but I also learned how easy it is to feel alone. When I connected with Home4Me, everything changed. I finally had people who believed in me, pushed me forward, and treated me like family. Because of that support in December 2025, I graduated from college with my bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. I was just hired to teach elementary school and continue grad school in Early Childhood Education. Home4Me helped me see that my past does not define my future and that I can keep reaching higher.”
Ready to Level Up?
LEG up on LIFE is where you build confidence, learn real-life skills, and discover what makes you powerful. Through fun challenges, leadership activities, money skills, goal-setting, and real talk about real life, you’ll learn how to make smart moves and take control of your future.
You’ll meet mentors who have your back, friends who get it, and a community that believes in you.
Every Tuesday 6:30-7:15 Meeting ID 880 0575 8488
LEG up on LIFE is the program and strategy designed to guide teens ages 13-15, 16-19 and 20+ through their formative years into a successful future, college, a trade, entrepreneurship or a career. LEG = Leadership – Entrepreneurship – Grooming and LIFE = Living Skills – Innovative Choices – Financial Literacy – Educational Paths. Currently, the youth/young adults meet virtually once a week and then their mentor contacts them to ensure they stay on track. See (Our Approach)
“Together We Win” is the Home4Me partnership with HBCU Colleges, the Community, Corporations & Churches to collaborate human and capital resources, for the success and future of our teens aging out of foster. When we come together our youth win!
“Together We Win” Partnering to provide housing, hope, opportunities, mentors and education to ensure a positive, productive and prosperous outcome for youth aging out of foster care.
The National Family Empowerment Conference and EXPO brings together resources, organizations, businesses, and entrepreneurs that impact and empower foster and adoptive families with teenagers. The NFECandEXPO provides a national platform with solutions that address the foster care crisis and support families, churches, colleges, providers, and the community around Foster Care, Health, Healing, Housing, and Helping Our Youth Navigate Their Future. NFECandEXPO.com
Teens that are in foster care know that the chance of them being adopted into a forever family is slim to none so preparing them for their future and their 18th birthday is critical. Youth in foster care can move to several locations, houses, or group homes before they turn 18 and the stigma of them receiving trash bags to move their items is very real. The Fill-A-Suitcase with the items that belong to them gives the teens a sense of dignity when they move from place to place.
Ultimate Birthday Party is creatively designed for teens in foster care which gives them an incredible experience and opportunity to celebrate their birthday. Many teens in foster care have never had their own party. The ultimate party allows the teens to be themselves with their peers. They sing, dance, play games, water balloons, musical chairs, draw, eat, laugh and have fun. They receive personalized birthday cards, gifts, cakes, and fun!
The “Because of You” Gala is our annual fundraiser and opportunity to appreciate our supporter, sponsors, volunteers, and youth. Everyone will enjoy an elegant evening of Music, Dinner, Silent Auction, Dance, Entertainment, and many pleasant surprises that makes the Because of You Gala a must attend event. The youth are very instrumental in the planning of the NFECandEXPO and the gala. Because of You there will be a Home4Me.
The Home4Me – College Kit includes the items youth need for their dorm, or first apartment after aging out.
College Kit Includes: microwave, dorm refrigerator, food containers/utensils, hamper, household & personal items, a Bed-in-a-Bag, Fill-a-Suitcase, and individual essentials that are needed.
Bed-in-a-Bag Includes: Matching set of Sheets (flat & fitted), Comforter, Pillow cases, Pillow Shams & Bed Skirt.
Fill-a-Suitcase Includes: New Suitcase, sheet set, towel sets, umbrella, socks, pillow, Gift Card, and Resources.
It is our goal is to give every teen in foster care a Bed-in-a-Bag. When they move from place to place they go into to someone elses room, on someone elses bed and someone elses pillow. Their own bedding will allow them to take their bedding wherever they go and assures us they are warm.
Blanket are important to ensure that youth are warm wherever they are. If the place is cold we know they are warm, if it is warm they can kick off the blanket and if the blanket is used for a sense of security we know they have what they need.
Bikes are important to youth aged out of foster care for transportation to work and college.
Strategically when possible we give backpacks and string bags in place of paper gift bags for reuseable purposes and bags always contain resources.
