The Impacts of Unheard Voices: RREAF Spring 2024 Report

The transition from high school to the next stage in life – a challenging time for most youth – is especially difficult for foster children, who experience greater challenges in social adjustment and academic and career achievements. With social services abruptly ending at age 18, many struggle to navigate young adulthood.

In 2024, funded by UNC Rural’s RREAF Award, FFORC and Diversity Nurtures Achievement partnered to co-design and facilitate a pilot program for youth in foster care of the Duplin and Sampson County area. The program creates a supportive space for youth participants to get training and guidance in navigating the transition to adulthood, as well as to share their experiences and future goals with peers.

As a result of program activities, youth demonstrated measurable improvement across eight of nine independent living skills and youth engagement and willingness to share their personal experiences increased throughout the program, indicating enhanced trust and program investment.

To learn more about Unheard Voices’ program and impact (p. 8), read RREAF’s Spring 2024 Impact Report.