MISSION, VISION and VALUES
 
Our Mission
Empower young women in and aging out of foster care, to safely and successfully transition to living independently.

The Present Situation
Foster care children “age out” of the system at age 18 and lose most government support services.

• 50% will fall prey to crime, drug and alcohol abuse and homelessness
• 70% do not have a high-school degree or GED
• 25% become homeless within three years of leaving the system
• 70% of the nation’s prison populations have spent some time in foster care
• Children live what they learn: Dysfunctional families tend to replicate living off the system for generations
  (Statistics: www.casey.org)

Our Vision For The Future
Footsteps to the Future is the model for change in Southwest Florida and the nation, providing programs such as mentoring, transitional living and advocacy for young women in and aging out of foster care.

Footsteps to the Future helps young women break the cycle of abusive and addictive behaviors. We work to:

• Decrease crime, drug and alcohol abuse
• Reduce homelessness after leaving the system
• Increase the number of high school graduates including GED
• Young women in Southwest Florida choose Footsteps to the Future to help them grow and develop as independent, self-reliant and contributing members of their communities.
• Footsteps to the Future helps young women with job readiness, leadership skills and more, to become role models and advocates for themselves and other women in foster care.
• Footsteps to the Future is the organization of choice for agencies at the local, state and national levels to empower young women in and aging out of foster care.

Our Values: RAILS On Which We Ride

• R RESPONSIBILITY
  We value and encourage making decisions that reflect compassion and
  responsibility for the people and the earth around us.
• A ACCOUNTABILITY
  We value and encourage taking responsibility for the choices we make, keeping our word and being prepared to accept the consequences of our behavior.
• I INTEGRITY
  We value and encourage doing our best to make sure that what we say
  and do are consistent with what we believe.
• L LOVE
  We believe in the transformative power of the heart and that love heals all wounds.
• S SELF-RELIANCE

We value and encourage self-reliance, with the ability to create and maintain
resources while taking good care of ourselves.

For additional information contact Footsteps to the Future Executive Director
Judi Woods
16956 McGregor Blvd Suite 2 Ft. Myers, Fl. 33908
239 275-5834 office
239 275-5828 fax
239 281-7378 cell
judiwoods2@earthlink.net

If you'd like to learn more, please contact us!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead