Project Mentor: Dr. Bill Whitney, Creative Inquiry
2026 Impact Fellows:
Amelia Crosby '28
Niasha Gwin '27
Alyssa Vandett '27
Project Description:
Fostering New Futures (FNF) is committed to empowering Transitional Age Youth (TAY) nearing the end of, or having aged out of, the foster care system in the Oakland/East Bay area of California. These youth are left without the everyday skills, nurturing relationships, and resources necessary to thrive as adults.
During the first year, the team met with local organizations, community leaders, and youth advocates to identify where foster youth need the most support, while also receiving restorative justice (RJ) training. From those insights, the team developed a model rooted in RJ and trauma-informed practices that emphasizes healing, mentorship, and community building.
In Year 2, FNF is deepening that foundation and preparing for implementation. We are developing a curriculum centered on marketing and basic financial literacy with circle groups and restorative practices included in each session, while establishing a focus group to ensure our developing model is responsive to the real needs of foster youth. We are also building toward a future apprenticeship program that would provide youth with hands-on job training and direct pathways to employment under our partner organization.
Our partner, The Town Project in Vallejo, CA, will serve as the key component in developing the apprenticeship program and creating job opportunities through its already active and successful practitioner group. TTP will also provide restorative justice certification and trauma-informed mediation training to team members.
By centering youth voices and weaving together healing, creative expression, and skill-building, FNF is laying the groundwork to empower foster youth to find purpose, gain agency, and mature successfully into adulthood, reaching their potential to be active community members and leaders.
All majors are welcome to apply, particularly those interested in social justice, arts-based programming, and community advocacy.