Life Skills Program

The Life Skills Program was created to act as a bridge for young adults between the ages of 17-23 as they transition out of foster care into independence. The 6-week program focuses on financial literacy and workforce readiness and is taught by industry experts. 

Each cohort ends with a job fair that features employers and training programs specific to the current cohort's interests. Program staff work with participants to ensure they have an up-to-date resume, active health insurance, a bank account, and photo identification before graduating. 

Participants are provided with an Essentials Bag, transportation assistance, catered meals at each class, invitations to monthly skill-building workshops, and a graduation incentive of $599.00

Project 48 recognizes that young adults who have experienced foster care face extensive adversities and hardships in their lifetime. The Life Skills Program operates with an equity lens and supports youth exactly where they are in their journey.

Who Qualifies?

Young adults between the ages 17-23, who are in or have recently exited the foster care system.

Youth can be referred to the Life Skills Program by their caseworkers or any social worker that partners with ODHS Child Welfare. Young adults can also self-refer.

Upcoming Dates:

Spring 2024: 

5/2/2024 - 6/6/2024 

Thursdays, 4 - 7 PM

Summer 2024: 

7/18/2024 - 8/22/2024

Thursdays, 4 - 7 PM

Fall 2024: 

10/16/2024 - 11/20/2024

Wednesdays, 4 - 7 PM

Additional Information:

The Life Skills Program holds four cohorts per year.

Each cohort runs for six weeks and meets once a week for three hours in SE Portland.

Cohorts have a maximum capacity of 20 participants.

Young adults who age out of foster care are in need of additional support to successfully transition to independent living. Approximately 20% of foster youth become homeless the day they age out, are less likely to complete education degrees, and are at higher risk for human trafficking and incarceration (Ref 1).

One of the best ways to reduce these risks is to provide foster care transition programs that help young people transition to adulthood. Oregon is particularly vulnerable as the state has limited life skills training services. The state only supports approximately 9% of youth transitioning out of foster care, which is 14% below the national average (Ref 2).  Project 48 is dedicated to supporting Oregon’s foster youth and started the first Life Skills Program in 2022 to expand the available services.

1. Christina Dronen. (2019). 42 Aging Out of Foster Care Statistics. https://finallyfamilyhomes.org/the-problem/. 
2. Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2018, November 13). Fostering Youth Transitions. Oregon State Fact Sheet. https://www.aecf.org/resources/fostering-youth-transitions.