For many young people, turning 18 means freedom and new beginnings. But for youth aging out of foster care, adulthood can feel overwhelming — and even frightening. The fear of being alone, unsupported or homeless is a harsh reality. That’s where FamiliesFirst Network’s Young Adult Services steps in, offering guidance, resources and stability to help young adults build a future with confidence.
For Olivia, this program has been life-changing.
At just 10 years old, Olivia was living with her mother and her mother’s roommates. One night, her mom left and didn’t come back. While this wasn’t unusual, days passed before one of the roommates handed Olivia the phone. “It was my mom, calling from jail,” Olivia recalls. “She had been arrested for prostitution and dealing.” Alone and without food for a week, Olivia was eventually rescued by her aunt, who brought her to Pensacola to live with her grandmother. There she found a safe, loving home.
After graduating high school, Olivia faced another challenge. A younger cousin was experiencing trauma and abuse, and Olivia stepped in to help. She brought her cousin to live with her and her grandmother, but that meant Olivia had to give up her own space. “I was very lost at first,” she says. “It meant giving up my space, but I was ok with that because I knew he was safe”
With nowhere to go, Olivia stayed with friends while trying to figure out her next steps. That’s when she discovered Fresh Start Village, a community of fully furnished, 400-square-foot homes in Pensacola designed specifically for young adults aging out of foster care. The village offers affordable housing, independence and a sense of belonging.
“Everyone here has been through the foster care system, so we understand each other,” Olivia says. “We hang out, go from house to house — it’s great. I especially love the holidays when all the houses are decorated.”
Now, Olivia is thriving. She’s enrolled at Pensacola State College, working toward her associate degree and planning a career in Radiology – all while serving as a teacher’s aide at a local elementary school.
“Growing up with someone who struggles with addiction, you end up parenting them more than they parent you,” she shares. “That was the hardest part. Now, it’s amazing to just be my age — to be in school and building a life I never thought I could have.”
FamiliesFirst Network’s Young Adult Services empowers youth like Olivia with the tools and support they need to build independent, successful lives. For many young people aging out of foster care, the future can feel uncertain- but thanks to programs like this, they no longer have to face adulthood alone.