An Initiative of the Macon (GA) Chapter
Currently, in Bibb County, there are currently 320 children in foster care. There are 72 foster children between the ages of 14 and 21 and twelve of these children will turn 18 in 2020. There are 19 foster children currently between the ages of 18 and 21. Research shows that youth in foster care typically age out of the foster care program between the ages of 18 and 21, often without completing a high school diploma. These students often lack the guidance, resources, or support needed to make the transition to independent living. This lack of education, life skills and family support leaves these youth at high risk of unemployment, homelessness and increases the likelihood of experiencing encounters with the justice system.
Chapter members will work in partnership with the children and staff of The Methodist Home for Children (and Youth) in Macon GA, the Macon/Bibb County Department of Family and Children Services, the Bibb County School District and the staff of the Orange Duffel Bag Initiative (OBDI) to provide a yearlong program to help the targeted students to develop and practice life skills in preparation for independent living. The Methodist Home for Children in Macon GA is a residential care facility that provides a multifaceted approach to address the needs of abused, neglected and abandoned children. It is a faith-based organization with the mission of equipping at-risk youth to transition into productive, healthy adult members of society.
Our vision for the Closing the Gap in Foster Care Initiative aligns with the vision of ODBI “to empower students in need to create their individual, dynamic life plans, and support them in formulating and achieving their goals; to be an ongoing resource for ODBI graduates and; to be a symbol of hope for students who have experienced trauma.”
Planned Activities Include:
Program Partners
Chapter members will work in partnership with the children and staff of The Methodist Home for Children (and Youth) in Macon GA, the Macon/Bibb County Department of Family and Children Services, the Bibb County School District and the staff of the Orange Duffel Bag Initiative (OBDI) to provide a yearlong program to help the targeted students to develop and practice life skills in preparation for independent living. The Methodist Home for Children in Macon GA is a residential care facility that provides a multifaceted approach to address the needs of abused, neglected and abandoned children. It is a faith-based organization with the mission of equipping at-risk youth to transition into productive, healthy adult members of society.
Our vision for the Closing the Gap in Foster Care Initiative aligns with the vision of ODBI “to empower students in need to create their individual, dynamic life plans, and support them in formulating and achieving their goals; to be an ongoing resource for ODBI graduates and; to be a symbol of hope for students who have experienced trauma.”
Planned Activities Include:
- Coordinate promotional activities to encourage high school students in foster care to apply for participation in the Orange Duffel Bag Initiative as part of the independent living plans. (Independent living plans are developed in collaboration with DFACS case managers as a standard part of foster children’s case management).
- Serve as advocates/mentors for participants in the Orange Duffel Bag Initiative.
- Conduct quarterly follow-up sessions that focus on financial literacy, social etiquette, interviewing skills and teen domestic violence.
- Plan a graduation celebration for students who graduate from the Orange Duffel Bag Initiative.
- Assist the students in creating a quilt square that illustrates their growth and their goals as part of the Southern Area Connecting the Threads initiative (Quilts are an integral part of the Methodist Home’s legacy).
Program Partners
