About Rooted Forward — Planted in Possibility. Growing with Purpose.
Our Story
Planted in Possibility. Growing with Purpose.
Foster care alumni are among the most resilient individuals in our community, but the state system often leaves them without a stable foundation once they age out. Our goal is to provide a safe, independent sanctuary where these young adults can process their past, master executive life skills, and step into total personal sovereignty.
A Dedication
In memory of those we could not reach in time —
the young men and women who aged out of a system that was meant to protect them, who faced the world alone at 18 with no map, no net, and no one required to stay.
You deserved more. You deserved better. You deserved someone who showed up.
Rooted Forward exists in your name — built on the belief that what happened to you must not happen to the next child, or the one after that.
Your lives were not footnotes. They were the reason.
We carry you forward.
How We Started
The Gap Was Too Big to Ignore
Rooted Forward was founded after witnessing firsthand the cliff that young adults face when they age out of foster care at 18. In a single day, the system that had been their entire world — however imperfect — disappears. No safety net. No family to call. No roadmap.
The statistics are staggering: 20% become homeless the day they exit care. Fewer than 3% will earn a college degree. Half will not hold gainful employment by age 24. These are not inevitable outcomes — they are the result of a system that ends support precisely when young people need it most.
We started Rooted Forward because we believe prevention is possible, community is powerful, and every young adult deserves the chance to not just survive — but genuinely thrive.
Our Vision
"We envision a world where no young adult leaving foster care faces the journey to independence alone."
A future where every 18-year-old aging out of the system steps into a network of support, not a void — equipped with the skills, confidence, and community to not just survive, but genuinely thrive.
Our Mission
Why We Do This Work
They are not broken. They are not lost causes. Young adults transitioning out of foster care are not just statistics, though the statistics about them are devastating. They are young adults who grew up in a system that was supposed to protect them — and who turned 18 and were handed a bag of belongings and told that the state's responsibility for them had ended. On a birthday. Often overnight. We can't turn a blind eye and say "tough luck", we must reach out and give them a solid foundation to stand on.
What Guides Us
Our Core Values
Rooted in Dignity
Every young adult we serve is seen, valued, and treated with the full dignity they deserve — not as a case number, but as a person with limitless potential.
Trauma-Informed
We understand the weight our participants carry. Every interaction, program, and policy is designed with that awareness at the center.
Community First
No one thrives in isolation. We build lasting networks of support — mentors, peers, and partners — so no young adult walks this road alone.
Empowerment Over Dependency
Our goal is not to create reliance on us — it is to equip young adults with the skills, confidence, and connections to build their own futures.
Who We Serve
Young Adults Ready to Build Their Future
Our programs are designed for young adults ages 17–26 who have experienced foster care and are navigating the transition to independence. We meet participants where they are — whether they're just aging out or have been out of the system for years and still need support.
- Ages 17–26
- Current or former foster care experience
- Live in Palm Beach, Broward, or Miami-Dade Counties of Florida for in-person, online, or hybrid sessions
- Live anywhere in the USA for online sessions
- Motivated to engage with sessions and support
501(c)(3) Status
501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Organization
Donations are tax-deductible. Every dollar goes directly toward building our program and serving our community.
The Cost of Inaction
One youth experiencing homelessness costs Florida taxpayers an estimated $30,000 per year in emergency services. One youth incarcerated costs over $70,000 per year.
Resilience & Readiness 16-session program cost
$8,370
per cohort of 10 participants
Prevention is not just the right thing to do — it is the economically rational choice.
Get Involved
Be Part of the Solution
Whether you give, mentor, volunteer, or simply spread the word — your involvement helps ensure no young adult in South Florida faces independence alone.