Youth Residential Program
Unique State of the Art Residential
Program for Youth & Cats
Most young people turn to their parents for help at age 18 however, 65% of foster youth In Tennessee leave foster care at age 18 with no place to call home. Feral Cat Rescue & Youth Sanctuary offers an innovative residential program to both youth and feral (abandon) cats.
Youth Statistics
Sadly, not every child grows up in a positive environment.
Over 8,000 of those children are in Tennessee. Often, these children are orphans and have suffered abuse through the system.
According to a National study conducted by TN Alliance for Kids, Over 415,000 children are in the foster care system. Less than half are placed with a family member or relative to care for them while in foster care. On average, 64 youth age out of foster care every day and find themselves with no support at age 18. More than 20% of all youth that age out of foster care become homeless. 75% of youth that age out of foster care suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, less than 3% will earn a degree in college or vocational school, and 2/3 of young women will be pregnant by their 21st birthday.
Nearly 65% of youth leave foster care at age 18 with no place to call home.
Without housing or connection to family and community, youth are less likely to finish high school and go to college, find employment and access healthcare, which in turn jeopardizes their ability to take control of their futures and become contributing members of the community. They’re also more likely to have children before they are ready, putting them at risk of perpetuating the cycle of foster care. In contrast, youth in our unique residential program learn how to live independently in the community, build relationships with mentors, earn a college degree or learn a vocation and secure employment and housing. The unique aspect of our program is the implementation of feral and abandoned cats. Recent studies show that caring for cats can improve people’s mental and physical health. Nonetheless, youth who have experienced trauma from the system are often at risk for depression, loneliness, and isolation. Cats relieve these conditions and often bring a sense of happiness, compassion, and purpose to people who care for them.
Program Overview
Screening Process
Youth go through three interviews, background and evaluation screening while in state custody. A male mentor will interview and screen young men while a female mentor shall interview and screen the young women for program compatibility.
Selection Process
Youth who are selected for the six month residential program are selected based upon their desire to achieve, the efforts they put forth and their ability to overcome.
Before
Every six months, three young men and three young women aging out of the foster system between ages (18-21) will be selected and sponsored to participate in the Feral Cat Rescue & Youth Leadership Development Program located in a unique three story shipping container facility designed and developed as a launch program for foster youth and feral cats.
During
Each youth will be provided a 5 x 13 independent living
space, furnished with a bed, desk, closet and shelving. Learning good personal
hygiene, health and nutrition, skills, career/apprenticeship training, time
management and organization development skills and being assigned a cat to
prepare for adoption.
After
The program mission is to equip and prepare youth for the many challenges the world will present. At the end of the program each youth will be employed, have transportation and housing. Each youth will have successfully learned how to prepare a feral or abandon cat for adoption and placement.
Partnering with a Youth
Individuals, organizations and businesses can partner with a youth on a monthly basis up to 6 months (Donators may qualify for a federal tax deduction where time, materials, resources or monetary funding are applied). The average cost to house, train and equip each youth is $500.00 per month. Twelve partnerships will be available each year.
Partners
Individuals, organizations and businesses will have an opportunity to work closely with their partnered youth in the residential setting and in the workplace. In addition, youth will be available to appear and speak at events on behalf of individuals, organizations and businesses. All inquiries to partner with a youth are received through FCRYS.