Building a Healthy Adulthood
Larry is 19 years old. Smart and motivated, he is a foster youth, touched by the criminal justice system when he was 17 years old. His probation officer referred him to RightWay in early 2021. When he came to us, Larry’s number one goal was to get a job. He also hoped to finish high school. Larry completed our OE job readiness program and has been receiving case management services from RightWay since then. We helped him earn his guard card, and this past week he began as a security officer in a new job within walking distance from his house.
Larry is proud of himself for being a team player at work this past week. From the work he has done with RightWay’s mental health team, he knows he has a temper but now feels more emotionally capable to work with people. In RightWay’s OE job-readiness program, we work extensively on anger management, how to build healthy relationships, and how to bring coping skills and coping strategies to work.
Having reached his first goal of securing a job, Larry is tackling his second goal. He has enrolled in a continuation school and only needs a few more credits before receiving his high school diploma. Larry dreams of joining the army or becoming a barber. But for now, he is loving his new job, liking his supervisor, and enjoying walking to his living-wage job.
The RightWay Foundation
Donate now!Matching Challenge
The first $1,500 will be matched.
Building Stability
The RightWay Foundation’s goal is to help foster care youth transitioning out of the system build their own futures through employment and therapy. But in order to do that, they also need stable housing.
During the pandemic, the need for that stability amidst California’s high rental market became apparent. That’s where “Operation Housing First” comes into play. Rightway is hoping to raise a seed fund of $250,000 to go towards the new project.
The program pays the security deposit and half of each month’s rent for program participants to live in their own apartment for one year. It’s also mindful of each person’s specific needs and chooses rentals located in safe neighborhoods close to their jobs so they can walk or take advantage of public transportation. A donation of $21,600 can help house three young adults working with RightWay for one full year.
Thanks to The Giving List’s novel matching program, all donations of up to $1,500 will be matched.
Mission
We at The RightWay Foundation help Transition-Age Foster Youth get and keep good jobs despite the overwhelming trauma they have endured throughout their lives.
www.therightwayfoundation.org
(323) 903-5021
Executive Director: Franco Vega
Begin to Build a Relationship
We know you care about where your money goes and how it is used. Connect with this organization’s leadership in order to begin to build this important relationship. Your email will be sent directly to this organization’s Director of Development and/or Executive Director.
“My name is Shamyia. I’m 26 years old. At the age of one I became a ward of the court. Most of my childhood I felt as if I was being raised by the system. As I grew older, I felt as if I was numbered and stamped. Between my teenage years and adult life I had no family support, emotional support, or financial support, no guidance or knowledge on what the real world holds. At the age of 16, I completely took on the responsibilities of protecting, providing for, and supporting myself and my one-year-old son. At the age of 18, I emancipated out of the system. My fear of failure was my motivation. The most important strength that got me through it all was faith. In 2018, I entered a life-changing organization, The RightWay Foundation. I was struggling financially on probation and without a home for more than two years. This program is not just only for general helping purposes; this program has supported me with all of my pain, depression, excessive stress, and emotional breakdowns. I had one goal when I entered the program which was to obtain full-time employment. Over the years they have supported me beyond what I expected. I participated in many events and workshops, such as financial literacy, acting, internships, life skills workshops, mentoring, etc.The RightWay Foundation has demonstrated what a supportive family feels like. In August 2021, The RightWay Foundation moved me into my own apartment. One take away: No excuses! As I continue my walk of life.”
Key Supporters
Amy Adams & Darren Le Gallo
Angell Foundation
Anthony and Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation
April Gargiulo / Vintner’s Daughter
Aspen Institute
Bad Robot
Capital Group
Capital One
Crail-Johnson Foundation
FHI 360
Jonathan Louis Furniture
Justina Blakeney
Ken & Shelley Goldstein
Lance Gross
May and Stanley Smith Charitable Trust
Nick Buford Crews / Crews 1972
Reissa Foundation
Rose Hills Foundation
Sierra Health Foundation
Tiffany Haddish
Tyler, the Creator
Weingart Foundation
Whitney Leigh Morris / The Tiny Canal Cottage