Home

Our Mission

To provide at-risk adolescent and aged-out foster care youth with the vital support systems necessary for achieving self-sufficiency."

 

About Our Program

Since 1999, the Roots & Wings Foundation has provided nurturing support, practical life skills and housing to teenagers who have aged out of the child welfare system. It is a collaborative, community-based volunteer organization that assists this high-risk population of disadvantaged youth in replacing dependency with self-sufficiency."

Nationwide there are more than 500,000 foster children in the child welfare system. Annually, more than 300 children age out of foster care in New Jersey when they turn 18. Research demonstrates that children who have grown up in foster care are especially vulnerable to continued dependence on government assistance. A significant percentage of these children become homeless, are incarcerated or become pregnant. One of the primary consequences of aging out of the system is the inability to find stable and affordable housing.

To bridge this gap, Roots & Wings pairs each foster youth admitted into the program with full housing support, a licensed social worker, a case manager, a professionally trained mentor and other vital services. The mentors fill a void in their lives by providing a stable and consistent caring support system. The safe housing provided by Roots & Wings allows them to concentrate on their education, job training and counseling without the fear and desperation of being homeless. These young adults are also given an opportunity to acquire the life skills to become productive, integrated members of society in a safe, supportive environment. The program gives them hope by helping them create a life plan that includes education (college or trade school), employment while in school, financial accountability, and social and behavioral counseling.

We Provide Our Clients

Mentors – Each client is partnered with a trained, skilled mentor who provides encouragement, support, and direction as well as stability and consistency.
Client Advocate– Each client is supported by a caseworker who advocates for the teenager within the program and society, ensuring that the necessary steps are being taken on the road to self-sufficiency.
Licensed Social Worker– Each client meets weekly with the Program Director to establish and maintain contracted goals and objectives.
Housing – Each client is given safe , supportive housing that provides an opportunity to practice independent living skills.
Education – Each client is assisted in the completion of a high school diploma or GED and in the pursuit of a post secondary school course of study to help assure successful access to the job market.
Life Skills – Each client will receive necessary life skills that will assist them in transitioning to independence.
Health Care – Each client is provided access to a primary care physician, dentist, eye doctor, and mental health counselor, each of whom is a member of an all-volunteer network of medical caregivers.
Employment –Each client is provided with resources to develop job skills and to connect to find employment opportunities.
Transition – Each client graduates from the program equipped with the tools to be a contributing member s of society.

Our History

The Roots & Wings Foundation was founded in 1999 by Irene deGrandpré, a resident of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. Roots & Wings developed from Irene’s awareness of the bleak prospects facing foster youth. Irene was a CASA (“Court Appointed Special Advocate”) volunteer who mentored a teenager about to age out of the child welfare system. She realized that there was a lack of support available for these children when they became 18. Irene quickly developed a motivated and dedicated group of volunteers to support her new mission to help this population of former foster children. Roots & Wings was incorporated in November 1999 and received IRS 501(c) (3) status as a non-profit organization in March 2000. In the first year of operation (2000-2001), Roots & Wings provided housing and supportive services for the first client. It has grown to assist an increasing number of young adults each year, assisting 23 youths over the course of its existence.

Roots & Wings Foundation
115 Route 46 West, Suite F1000
Mountain Lakes, New Jersey 07046
system.admin@rootsandwingsnj.org
Phone: 973-316-6044
Roots & Wings is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.
©2007 Roots and Wings