Once again the partnering relationship ILYA (Independent Living for Young Adults) has established with other organizations has expanded our ability to serve youth who have aged out of foster care. For the third year in a row, we have received a grant from the New Century Club of Newark that specifically aids former foster youth who no longer qualify for other benefits for their post-secondary education.

Three students have benefited in this way over the last 3 years. MB works full time for the Delaware Supreme Court in Wilmington and is finishing her criminal justice degree online with Delaware State University. RP is a student at UD who needed help to pay for books and tuition to continue his stellar track record with his engineering classes. TR (a young woman with a great GPA) needed help to pay her registration deposit so she could be ready to begin classes in the fall.
Another partnership was created when one of our ILYA team members who works for CSC here in Wilmington facilitated her team organizing a fund drive to benefit ILYA. They raised $800 AND CSC MATCHES THAT which will significantly boost our ability to provide new apartment kits to youth moving into their first apartment.
ILYA is always looking to expand the awareness of the needs of young people in and aged out of foster care. By partnering with other organizations we take the message much further than our own doors. It’s exciting to supplement the support you provide and expand our ability to serve!