There’s a house on Lincoln Avenue in Napa that’s much more than a home. It’s become a true community center and the rallying point for services that support and nurture youths who may have had little support growing up. With the sweat equity of those youths and the contributions of money, materials, expertise and time of hundreds of community volunteers, that house, already in use, has been renovated and will be ready in just a few weeks for a grand celebration. It is the Napa headquarters of VOICES — Voice Our Independent Choices for Emancipation Support.
We like to think that parents always care for their offspring, that they not only look after their physical well-being but do their best to help them realize their potential. Yet the reality is that things don’t always work out this way. For any number of reasons, parents sometimes end up in a situation where they can’t take care of their children, either temporarily or permanently. That’s when foster care comes into play for nearly half a million kids nationwide.
Sometimes the care is wonderful and supportive. But even in those cases, that all changes when a foster child turns 18. At that point, they “age out” of the foster system and often find themselves in freefall without the tools to live independently or an understanding of the safety nets and services in place to help them transition into successful, independent adults. The results can be grim. According to Matt Moon-Bailey, site director for Napa’s VOICES program, “Those aging out of systems of care have much higher percentages of not completing education, and experiencing homelessness, incarceration, and physical and mental health issues.”
Whether assisting youth with education, employment, housing, or their health and well-being, VOICES takes a holistic approach and helps young people successfully transition into lives as responsible adults.
What is your purpose or mission?
Matt Moon-Bailey: “VOICES exists to help youth who have aged out of the foster care system become successful adults. At age 18, kids who have often been bounced from place to place all their lives are essentially ‘shown the door.’ Many end up homeless or incarcerated, with addiction issues and major medical problems, and don’t know how to access education or secure jobs.
“VOICES is a one-stop center that brings together more than 40 partnering agencies to provide housing, education, employment and wellness services to transitioning youth, ages 16 to 24. Created and run by former foster youth, VOICES is the first organization of its kind in the nation.”
In brief, what’s the history of your organization?
“In 2004, community leaders in Napa County came together to address a thorny question: What happens to foster youth after they leave the system? They discovered that the challenges facing these youth were seemingly insurmountable and the services they were receiving were woefully insufficient.
“Representatives from various agencies created a task force to address the problem. Early on in the process, On the Move, VOICES’ parent organization, proposed that former foster youth and adults work in collaboration to create solutions. In the summer of 2005, 10 youths, all of whom had spent time in the foster care system, were recruited to become the founders of VOICES, a program which, since its grand opening in 2005, has helped give a powerful voice to Napa foster youth.”
Who are the people you serve?
“VOICES serves several hundred youths. ... In some cases they have lived in group homes, been homeless or have spent time in juvenile detention. We help them toward successful adulthood through a variety of services.
“The Independent Living Program (ILP), through a partnership with Napa County Health and Human Services, provides training and coaching to help foster youth members develop the skills needed for independence. ILP includes coaching, life conferences with supportive adults, life-skills workshops, social gatherings, outings and leadership opportunities.
“Other programs provided by VOICES include the Explorations College and Career Center, which supports youths to develop a plan for success in the areas of education and employment. The Changes Wellness Program provides opportunities for youth members to identify wellness needs within their mind, body and soul, and then encourages them to advocate for and take charge of their own well-being. Explorations and Changes services are available to all youth ages 16 to 24.”
Is there an anecdote that illustrates the work you do?
“Among the youth we serve, there are hundreds of stories, but the one most often heard is that of a child taken out of their home, often damaged by addiction and abuse. That child typically spends their formative years being moved from home to home. Later, as teens, they’re often moved from individual family homes to what may be a series of group homes.
“With this kind of start in life, it’s perhaps not surprising to learn that 70 percent of men and women behind bars in California spent time in the foster care system. On the other end of that spectrum, nationwide, just 4 percent of former foster youth earn a four-year college degree.
“These are kids who have been forgotten. And yet, when given a little support, most want to make the transition to successful adulthood.”
What’s a current need or upcoming project?
“VOICES also has two last ‘Community Build’ projects in the upcoming weeks to complete the final touches on the building. They include the kitchen remodel and landscaping the front yard.
Volunteers are invited to participate in Community Builds. If you are a trade professional or an individual who enjoys making a difference in your community helping youth, please call to see how you can assist. Loans of equipment and donations of supplies and materials are needed to complete these projects. Contact (VOICES) at 251-9432 if you have an organization, business or community service group that is seeking opportunities to make a difference.”
Neighbor2Neighbor is provided to the Register by Napa Valley CanDo. Founded in 2009, CanDo is a grassroots organization dedicated to “easing the path from intent to action.” Each week, CanDo provides a profile of a Napa Valley nonprofit or service club — what the organization does, what it needs and most of all, how an interested person can get involved. For more information on the column, contact Hilary Zunin at CanDoN2N@gmail.com. To learn more about opportunities for community service, email NVCanDo@gmail.com, call 252-7743 or visit NVCanDo.org.
