The Village: Transitional Housing

On Your Own:
Most of us remember our 18th birthday with fond memories of becoming an adult and having a new sense of responsibility and invulnerability. For hundreds of youth who age out of foster care in Central Florida each year, this milestone is filled with apprehension and uncertainty. Most of the youth are still in high school, have little savings, few job skills and no form of private transportation. They are unprepared to live completely on their own.

The Village provides young adults, recently involved in the foster care system, the opportunity to enhance their independent living skills before moving and living on their own. The Village offers safe and affordable housing for former foster youth 18 to 23 years of age. Life Skills Specialists and Career Specialists are on site providing essential life skills training. Youth experience living on their own in a dorm like setting with highly trained staff available to assist with employment skills, educational needs and hands on life skills training. Partnerships with community agencies allow the residents at The Village access to legal services, substance abuse and prevention programs, mental health services and job skills training. Community partnerships, volunteers and mentors help youth achieve emotional well being and self-reliance.

To qualify for transitional housing youth must be at least 18, be willing to attend school fulltime and work with The Village staff to develop employability skills and essential life skills. Youth can be referred by their case manager, Guardian Ad Litem or Independent Living specialist but self referrals are also accepted. All youth will need to participate in a panel interview.

For more information about our transitional housing program, please contact us at 407-478-4034 or email village@isifl.org.

Referral form (pdf)