OCA exists because when Yalanis, Valeria & Alana were in foster care, they lived through the huge gap in services. They knew people needed many different skills to be prepared to navigate their circumstances successfully, so they created a community to help young people learn.

OverComing Adversities (OCA) is a youth-led non profit in Puerto Rico that aims to promote healthy interpersonal relationships and economic mobility for system-involved youth in the Island by connecting youth with mentors that support their personal and professional development. After a rough journey aging out of the system, Yalanis was determined to improve the experience for others and founded OCA in summer of 2022. Thanks to OCA, Puerto Rico has an organization that understands the experience of system-involved youth. OCA provides direct services to transitioning youth aged 18-25, but also shares insights with caregivers, child welfare professionals and other stakeholders who want to improve youth engagement and outcomes.

Since OCA currently operates on a volunteer basis, our capacity to provide mentorship is limited. We are focused on finding ways to help Yalanis work full time on OCA, develop other mentors, and form strategic alliances with programs and stakeholders inside and outside the Island, such as:

Foster America's National Leadership Circle
Mentes Puertorriqueñas en Acción's social enterprise development program EnAcción
El Centro de Emprendedores pre-accelerator program, Núcleo
National Policy Council of Foster Care Youth and Alumni
Solo por Hoy
National Center for Housing and Child Welfare
Young Professionals in Philanthropy
FosterClub Lived Experience Leaders
Foster Care Alumni of America
Perspectivas Globales
Case Family Programs

Your contribution will help OCA maintain supportive living services for system-involved youth in Puerto Rico.

Help OverComing Adversities Help Young People in Puerto Rico

By Overcoming Adversities

Help OverComing Adversities Help Young People in Puerto Rico

It really takes a village to raise a child. Help others like Yalanis overcome adversities.

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