Did you know that ILYA (Independent Living for Young Adults) has some great partnerships? Independent Living coordinators at People’s Place 2 and at West End Neighborhood House refer young people aging out of foster care to the ILYA program. They facilitate students getting our supportive grants, college care packages, holiday giving wish list presents, graduation backpacks and much, much more.

The Catholic Charities Thrift Shop has opened its doors to our young people who are setting up a first apartment. With First UU members and friends sending furniture/household good donations their way, our ILYA young adults are able to go “shopping” with their Independent Living coordinator to pick out furnishing and household goods, rather than being given whatever happens to come our way (which was historically very limited due to space constraints). Please make sure any donation is of good quality (nothing broken or missing parts, clean and in good repair) and use the code “First UU” for us to get credit.

The Hagley Museum recently reached out to us with complementary admission to their Bike and Hike nights. They’ve offered to add a small nature craft or something simple for any children of our young adults that come.