Walmart Foundation

Support Level: Mission Partner

A teenager living in foster care is more likely to simply age out of the system than to be adopted into a permanent home. Facing independence without the support of a caring adult creates unique challenges and tremendous hurdles for these vulnerable youth. A unique National CASA program, Fostering Futures, helps youth transition out of care successfully. Thanks to a $1.6-million grant from the Walmart Foundation, this promising program launched last year.

Fostering Futures engages CASA and guardian ad litem (GAL) volunteers as advocates for and advisors to foster youth ages 13 to 21, with the goal of helping them develop specific transition plans, identify supportive adult connections and achieve positive outcomes once they transition out of care.

“In all of our giving efforts, we strive to meet the needs of underserved populations,” says Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation.  “Our support of National CASA’s Fostering Futures program reinforces that commitment by expanding the resources necessary to help foster youth become successful adults.”