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Thank you to Our Stakeholders!
You make all the difference.
by LaSonia J Forté on June 18
A BIG THANK YOU to Luciana and Nancy for their donations from ZOOM’s Amazon Wishlist! Please look and let us know if you have any items to donate. |
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Executive Director and Co-Founder of ZOOM
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Co-founder of ZOOM
Gayl Jones Professor Emeritus of English and of Afroamerican / African Studies, University of Michigan
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NEW Center - Fiscal Sponsorship
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The NEW Center, located in Ann Arbor and a partner for numerous thriving nonprofits, has approved our application!
The NEW Center of Ann Arbor will assist us in exploring opportunities for economic
development and growth, including the launch of a comprehensive social enterprise aimed at helping the 1,600 youth who age out of foster care in Michigan each year find affordable housing.
The NEW Center is an excellent fiscal sponsor for initiatives focused on housing for foster youth. Their commitment to social justice aligns with our goal of improving the lives of foster youth through stable housing and support services.
Policy Advocacy: NEW might have the capability to advocate for policy changes that benefit homeless foster youth, helping ensure that their needs are represented at the local and national levels.
With a strong track record in fund management and robust community connections, they effectively oversee financial resources and facilitate collaboration among stakeholders.
The center also provides valuable resources, mentorship, networking opportunities, and a focus on measurable outcomes, ensuring the effectiveness of our initiatives.
Overall, their mission-driven approach makes them an invaluable partner in providing housing and support for foster youth.
By utilizing NEW’s strengths, the organization can create a more robust and effective housing initiative that truly meets the needs of homeless foster youth and helps them achieve long-term stability.
Fundraising and Fiscal Sponsorship
Plans are underway for fundraising events, including cocktail parties and dinners, and an Amazon Wishlist has been established. The NEW Center will manage legal and financial aspects while the organization awaits the determination of its 501(c)(3) non-profit status.
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Our Partners at the Judson Center/Child Safe MI
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Transition at Age 21 and Ongoing Support
As staff at the Judson Center explained, state financial support for foster youth typically ceases at age 21. However, youth can apply for independent living assistance through their caseworkers at the Judson Center or MDHHS, similar to applying for funds for prom or a car down payment. While the type of support changes at 21, some form of assistance and caseworker support continues, though the duration is not specified.
Life Skills Training
The program will teach youth essential life skills to prepare them for independent living. These skills include practical maintenance (like changing filters or tires), cooking and meal planning, budgeting (e.g., using coupons), and fostering good neighborly conduct (e.g., shoveling snow).
The goal is to provide the foundational knowledge often learned from parents, which many foster youth lack.
- ZOOM’s residents are ages 19-21
- Work with young adults to develop independent living skills
- Have a permanency goal of APPLA (Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement) and cannot/do not want to be reunified with family
- Young adults “rent a room” from a supportive adult or live on their own (if able)
The youth work with the Judson Center/Child Safe team to identify a safe and secure living arrangement. The options include an apartment, college dorm, staying with a friend or other supportive person, or renting from a host provider.
Essentially, a host provider is any adult dedicated to helping a young person become an independent and productive adult. |
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City of Warren Meeting Update
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On Wednesday, June 18, we met with Tom Bommarito (Director of the Department of Community, Economic, and Downtown Development), Tiffany Nawrocki (DDA/TIFA Assistant), and Hunter Manikas (Economic Development Technician). We discussed a potential partnership, the city of Warren’s housing initiative, and how we could obtain the necessary permits.
Our discussion included topics such as:
Zoning and Regulatory Compliance
The discussion highlighted the critical need for zoning approval, rental registration and inspection processes, items that suggested the steepness of the learning curve we’re on. The City of Warren team underscored the necessity of involving its office’s planning and zoning authorities to explore potential variances in rules they acknowledged were being revised to ensure full compliance before youth move in.
Program Expansion and Replicability
There is a strong desire to expand the housing model, beginning possibly with more housing in Warren and then extending to Washtenaw County, where some board members reside. The ultimate goal is to inspire and encourage other communities and cities to adopt similar programs by developing a replicable model that others can use to address foster youth housing needs in their areas. |
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Poverty Solutions’ Policy Brief |
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This disclosure is meant to clarify that the foster youth housing project discussed is not an official University of Michigan initiative, despite LaSonia’s employment there. The project operates as a separate entity with legal counsel, distinct from any university oversight.
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Neighborhood Integration and Resident Responsibilities Plans include having the youth host a welcoming event for the neighborhood, potentially with a barbecue, to encourage positive integration. Residents will be responsible for maintaining the property, including tasks like rolling out trash/recycling bins, cutting grass, and shoveling snow, to avoid blight tickets. Volunteers are available to teach gardening skills and cooking classes to interested youth.
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During the pandemic, our puppy Kona and song requests to Alexa, a gift from our daughter Shan, brought us comfort. Each morning, we’d ask Alexa to play “ZOOM” by the Commodores, a song about dreaming of a better place. Lionel Richie’s lyrics provided hope during those bleak times.
Years later, when considering housing for young adults aging out of foster care, the song inspired our vision for ZOOM Transitional Housing. We aim to create a safe, attractive, and affordable space that helps these young adults feel clear-minded and empowers them to define their futures, reflecting the hopeful spirit of the Commodores’ song.
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|  www.youtube.com
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Key milestones include the property acquisition on May 30th. Future plans involve an open house and ribbon-cutting event at the house, intended as a kickoff before youth move in. The timeline is acknowledged as flexible due to ongoing learning and potential delays, with concurrent efforts in fundraising and website development.
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Pet Policy and Resident Requests
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We discussed a request by a prospective resident to be able to bring her cat with her. Although our initial response was positive, we then considered potential problems such as allergies, property damage, and the possibility of tension among residents. As a result, it was ultimately decided that the property will remain pet-free.
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- Partnerships with existing service providers are essential for program success, as ZOOM aims to rely on experts and avoid duplicating services.
- Youth must remain in the Judson Center’s Independent Living program to stay in the house. While the Judson Center supports youth aged 16-21, the ZOOM housing model specifically targets 18-21 year-olds.
- The rent is $250 per month, deemed affordable for the target youth based on their state support levels (around $750-$760/month) and the Judson Center's guidance.
- The Judson Center provides ongoing support and monitoring for residents, including regular mentoring and at least monthly (often weekly) check-ins.
- The house is in excellent condition, freshly painted, and fully prepared for youth residents, featuring three bedrooms, one level, free laundry, and no mortgage. Below is a picture of the living room taken on June 18th, which has new chairs, a couch, and lightly used tables awaiting the first Zoomers.
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ZOOM Transitional Housing for Foster Youth
Saline, Michigan 48176
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