Level Up Seattle: Nonprofit To Aid Foster Kids Opens In Edmonds, Wa
Today will mark the official launch of Level Up Seattle with the opening of its first home in Edmonds, Wash. for youth exiting the foster care system or at-risk of being homeless. To celebrate, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be hosted by the mayor and the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce on Friday, July 26 at 4:30 P.M. at the home in Edmonds.
Ten young adults and the organization’s program director will initially occupy the home beginning Aug. 15. Level Up Seattle is a 501(c)(3)* nonprofit organization whose mission is to support youth ages 18-24 who are at-risk or have aged out of the foster care system and need housing to finish their high school diplomas. The nonprofit provides these young adults with consistent housing, meals and business partnerships that empower them to finish high school and implement a self-development plan around education, career and life skills. The organization has business partners who offer career and trade exploration opportunities, such as mentorship programs, job shadowing, internships and full-time employment.
The statistics about the foster care group are shocking. Only about half will graduate from high school 1 . Without family connections or support, 50 percent will become homeless within 18 months 2 . One quarter 3 or 25 percent of foster care youth will become involved with the criminal justice system within just two years of leaving care.
“Level Up strives to …
