Young people in residential care institutions often struggle when they reach the age (usually 18) that they must leave the security of the home to look for a new place to live and employment and build a life independently. Many have not been well-equipped for this by the home leading to low self-esteem and no security or support on how to navigate the first steps of independent living. These young people are at increased risk of homelessness, crime, drug abuse and unemployment.

Viva partner networks are working with children aged between 10 and 18 years who are living in child-care institutions to prepare them for leaving the home and offer support on their journey to independent living.

How it works

The strategy features eight fundamental components that work together in a systematic way:

1. Find alternative family care or ‘families for weekends’ (where appropriate) to build support network and community engagement through church friendships.
2. Independent living – focusing on economic independence, vocation and formal education. Coming up with a personalized plan.
3. Creative alternatives for leisure time and recreation including Christian camps, sports and arts.
4. Formation of an investor network that provides job opportunities or university scholarships
5. Care centers providing basic provisions (e.g. clothing and food), emotional support and a place to feel at home for the first year of independent living.
6. A pastoral care network that provides advice, counselling, and reorientation for adolescents through peer counselling, volunteers and clubs.
7. A reference and rehabilitation system for special cases.
8. Quality Improvement System (QIS) for the projects and ministries involved to assist these organizations in reaching quality standards of care for children.

Depending on the age of the children, the focus of the mentoring and education shifts as you can see in the table below:

	10-14 years old	15-18 years old
Family	Extended family could be found Few possibilities of adoption	Extended family usually absent Almost no possibility of adoption
Identity	Personal life development	Life in society
Economy	Dependent, but with possibility of developing skills for a productive life	Dependent with high potential to establish social bonds for Job independence
Relations	Family and school environment	Family, school and society
	Preparation For Independent Living (PFIL)

 

Find out more?

If you would like to find out more about our programme for independent living, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us on (+44) 1865 811 660 or info@viva.org