ZOOM's Monthly Newsletter

ZOOM Transitional Housing is a nonprofit in Michigan that provides affordable housing for unhoused youth transitioning out of foster care.

In this month's newsletter:

We thank our donors and highlight our new sponsors and partnerships, including Detroit's historic Whitney Restaurant, City of Warren Zoning and Inspection Approval, and the Amazon Wishlist.

We have included the July Newsletter, which details our housing model, rent, and goal to empower youth for success in adulthood. The newsletter concludes with a donation appeal and contact information.

ZOOM Digital Digest August 2025

Thank you to our Advisory Board and Stakeholders!

You make all the difference.

by LaSonia J Forté on August 4, 2025

THANK YOU to Kia and Elyse for your generous donations!!!

Thank you, Luciana and Woodrow, for helping with the newsletter!

Our Partners

NEW SPONSOR

The Whitney - Iconic Detroit Restaurant

The Whitney, an iconic restaurant in Detroit, will showcase ZOOM Transitional Housing for Foster Youth at its upcoming Annual Halloween Paranormal Experience this October. Some of the proceeds from the event will benefit ZOOM! Tickets will go on sale August 25.

"The Whitney is thrilled to begin a partnership with Zoom Transitional Housing for Foster Youth in an effort to both raise awareness of and assist in the growth and development of those with the most opportunity to potentially become the newest future leaders and pillars of our communities."

Max Ceaser

General Manager

The Whitney

Building Support Networks for Foster Youth

Foster Greatness (FG) focuses on building strong support networks through mentorship, education, and life skills training. By connecting foster youth with supportive adults and peers, Foster Greatness helps them overcome challenges, build

confidence, and reach their goals.

ZOOM has partnered with FG to ensure every foster youth can achieve their full potential and lead a fulfilling life.

Learn more

Building Strong Advocates

The Student Advocacy Center of Michigan works with underserved students and their families to help them remain in school, exercise their rights to a quality public education, and achieve personal growth and success.

Residents of ZOOM Transitional Housing will have the opportunity to connect with mentors from the Student Advocacy Center for educational planning, mentorship, and assistance in finding and applying for available scholarships.

Learn more

Fiscal Sponsor

The NEW Center, located in Ann Arbor and a partner for numerous thriving nonprofits, is our fiscal sponsor. NEW is assisting 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.

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.

DONATE to ZOOM Transitional Housing

MAIL a check out to our fiscal sponsor:

The NEW Center

1100 North Main St.
Suite 100 Ann Arbor, MI 48104

MEMO: ZOOM Transitional Housing

NEW (Nonprofit Enterprise at Work) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Our Partners at the Judson Center/Child Safe MI

Independent Living Program

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.

Youth must remain in the Judson Center’s Independent Living program to rent from ZOOM. While the Judson Center supports youth aged 16-21, the ZOOM housing model specifically targets 18-21 year-olds
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.

"Child Safe is beyond excited to partner with ZOOM [Transitional Housing] to help aid in overcoming the barrier of housing that so many young adults in foster care face! It has been so wonderful working with LaSonia and Michael. We can't wait to watch this organization continue to grow 🙂"

Courtney Carter, MA (she/her/hers)

Independent Living/Foster Care Supervisor

City of Warren

Zoning and Inspection Approval!

We have obtained the necessary permits and received city inspection approval from the City of Warren. Our first three foster youth will be moving into the house soon. Stay tuned for the move-in date!

"Congrats on the progress, we're really excited to have you in the city.
The website/newsletter are looking great 😄Let us know if there's anything we can do to help."

City of Warren

Economic Development

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.

In Case You Missed It from the July Newsletter

Poverty Solutions’ Policy Brief

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, cooking classes, and mediation training to interested youth.

Amazon Wishlist

Volunteer: mentorship, advocacy, host provider

Become a ZOOM Landlord (Host Provider) and rent to foster youth for $250

EVENTS

ZOOM Summit on Tuesday, August 19!

The first ZOOM Summit will take place on Tuesday, August 19, in Saline, MI, with our advisory board members in attendance.

At the Summit, we will celebrate our success over wine and hors d'oeuvres, discuss our partnerships, and share our ideas.

Behind the Name: ZOOM Transitional Housing

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.

www.youtube.com

OPERATIONS

Timeline and Milestones

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.

POLICY

Pet Policy and Resident Requests

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.

Important Details

Partnerships with service providers are key for the program's success. ZOOM will leverage their expertise while avoiding duplication, offering resources alongside housing but not services.
Monthly rent is $250, affordable for the youth group with state support of $750 to $760, coordinated by the Judson Center, which provides ongoing support through monthly mentoring and check-ins.
The house is in excellent shape, freshly painted, with three bedrooms on one level, free laundry facilities, and no overhead costs.

About Us

ZOOM is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing for unhoused youth transitioning out of Michigan’s foster care system at significantly less than the going rate. ZOOM addresses the most critical challenge facing a population that, due to the limited financial assistance they receive from the government, risks becoming homeless within months of their initial experience of independence. By relieving their housing insecurity as they become independent adults, ZOOM properties will empower youth to overcome obstacles to adult success, including limited education (fewer than half of youth in this population finish high school), incarceration (one-fourth of males who’ve been in the foster system have spent time in jail), and early parenthood (two-fifths of them are parents).