Each year, over 23,000 youth age out of the foster care system. Within the first two to four years into independent living, 25% of these youth won’t graduate from high school. 50% will become substance abusers. 60% of young men will become incarcerated and 70% of young women will become pregnant. 70% of these youths want to go to college but only 3% will get to graduate college. 

The Essential Life Skills Training program provides a 90-day, comprehensive framework to prepare aging-out foster youth with the necessary life skills to transition into adulthood successfully. Within this 90-day program, youth will study the 12 Principles of Survival After Foster Care and be provided with Essential Tools for Success including assistance with tutoring, high school or GED completion, college application preparation, resume, cover and reference letter, passport, official documents, food handler’s card, CPR certification, driver’s education, license and more. Youth will attend a graduation ceremony and class trip after the program and receive a $1,500 Head Start Stipend(H.H.S. grant). Your donation will contribute $30,000 that will be used to fund 20 youth participants $1,500 H.S.S. grant and the remaining $20, 000 will be used to fund the program and provide all administrative needs including supplies, contractor fees, space rental, etc.

PLEASE NOTE: Love Dove's N.E.S.T. also runs three programs for the general community which are Food For Family, Great Gift Givers, and Talk It Out. These three programs were created to serve the hungry, bless those in need, and encourage conversations in our communities through poetry, speeches, and group discussions. Your donations will also go towards these initiatives.

Love Dove’s N.E.S.T. was founded by a former LA County foster youth who knows firsthand the challenges of aging out and transitioning into adulthood without essential life skills for success. We have the passion. We are committed. We just need the funding! To learn more, please visit https://lovedovesnest.org/

Contact our Executive Director, Ihesha Aina directly for more information at [email protected]