Since 1981, it has been OFA's mission to provide financial and moral support to foster teens who "age out" of State care when they turn 18 or graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education. Overnight these youth must somehow figure out how to put a roof over their head, obtain health insurance and reliable transportation, and pay for college. Few have relatives to help them, so they turn to OFA. We marshal the support of individuals and the community to provide scholarships, mentoring and care packages.

Scholarships bring these young adults to school and care packages give them a sense of belonging to a community, but it is OFA's mentors that keep them in school and provide advice and encouragement from their first days through graduation.

Virtual mentoring offers former foster youth transitioning to college and the workforce a compassionate, structured, safe relationship with a caring adult in their field of interest. Their mentor can help them make good decisions about education, work, and issues of daily living and guide them toward successful adulthood.

To learn more about OFA and our many programs, visit us at www.orphan.org.