Job Skills & Stability for Youth from Foster Care

For many young adults aging out of foster or kinship care, turning 18 doesn’t mean gaining independence — it often means losing the only support system they’ve known. Too many step into adulthood facing homelessness, food insecurity, job instability, and the overwhelming pressure of having to survive completely on their own.

At Foster Alumni Mentors (FAM), we believe every young adult deserves connection, guidance, and a chance to build a stable future. In June 2025, we opened The Inspired Starfish, a small thrift store with a big purpose: to provide paid job internships, mentorship, workforce development, and entrepreneurial skill-building for young people who have experienced foster or kinship care.

The Inspired Starfish is more than a store — it is a training ground, a support hub, and a place where young adults learn they are capable of achieving their goals. Every item donated, every piece of furniture sold, and every dollar raised helps ensure that youth have access to hands-on learning opportunities that build confidence and open pathways to long-term stability.

Through partnerships with the Mesa County Workforce Center and the Business Incubator Center, our interns gain real experience in customer service, inventory management, marketing, merchandising, point-of-sale systems, and even small business ownership skills. Many of the young adults who walk through our doors have never been given the chance to learn these skills in a supportive environment. At The Inspired Starfish, they learn not only how to work — they learn that they matter.

Your financial support goes directly toward expanding these internships, strengthening our programming, and keeping this vital community resource open and thriving. As the need grows, so does the urgency. More young adults are reaching out for help, mentorship, job training, and stability. We must raise $20,000 by December 31st to continue providing these essential services.

Your donation doesn’t just help one program — it changes the trajectory of a young person’s life. When you support The Inspired Starfish, you give young adults the opportunity to:
• gain meaningful work experience
• build confidence and self-sufficiency
• explore career goals and entrepreneurial dreams
• connect with supportive adults who believe in them
• access emergency support when crises arise

And there's even more impact: This project is part of Colorado’s Enterprise Zone (EZ) initiative, meaning many donors may qualify for a 25% state income tax credit. Your generosity can reduce your tax liability while directly supporting youth and strengthening our community. Your gift becomes a powerful investment — not only in a young adult’s future, but in the Colorado workforce and economy.

Every dollar you give stays in Colorado. Every donation helps us keep The Inspired Starfish open. And every contribution sends a message to a young adult aging out of foster care:

“You are not alone. Your community believes in you. Your future matters.”

Help us reach our $20,000 goal by December 31st. Support The Inspired Starfish and help transform lives through opportunity, stability, and hope.

💛 Donate today and be part of a young person’s success story.