Introduction
Every year, thousands of foster youth in California transition into adulthood without the safety net of a stable home, leading many to experience homelessness. Fostering Promise is working to change that by advocating for policies that ensure every young person aging out of foster care has a safe place to call home, a caring mentor, and the hope for a promising future.
Through a youth-centered approach, Fostering Promise drives systemic change by elevating the voices of foster youth, bridging policy gaps, and aligning resources across systems to prevent homelessness among this vulnerable population.
The Health Trust is proud to spotlight Fostering Promise as a grantee partner, supporting their mission to create sustainable housing solutions for former foster youth. We spoke with André Chapman, CEO of Fostering Promise, to learn more about their work and vision for the future.
Q&A With André Chapman, CEO of Fostering Promise
Tell us about the founding of Fostering Promise. What inspired you to focus on housing policies and practices for foster youth?
“The children are our future—unfortunately, they can’t pick their parents or their zip codes. My passion comes from ensuring that every young person has access to opportunities, support, and resources regardless of their circumstances. This belief has fueled my purpose for over 30 years and continues to inspire and compel me forward every day.”
André shares that Fostering Promise emerged from a 2017 initiative where a Youth Advisory Council, composed of foster youth, presented policy recommendations to address the housing crisis. The pandemic stalled progress, but in 2022, André reignited efforts with a renewed sense of purpose, determined to ensure that not even one young person ages out of foster care without a stable home.
What are the biggest challenges foster youth face when aging out of the system?
“Many young people aging out of foster care lack access to stable housing, a supportive network, and the guidance needed to navigate adulthood. Without a place to call home, many struggle with homelessness, employment, education, and even basic necessities like food and healthcare.”
Research shows that one in four foster youth experience homelessness within the first year of aging out. Fostering Promise is tackling this crisis head-on through policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, and youth-driven solutions.
How does Fostering Promise drive system change?
“System change is not linear — it requires deep collaboration, youth-led advocacy, and policy innovation. We believe in the principle of ‘Nothing About Us Without Us,’ meaning that those directly impacted by the system must have a central voice in shaping solutions.”
Fostering Promise’s work is rooted in four key policy priorities:
- Creating housing readiness plans for foster youth by age 16
- Expanding and improving housing options for young people exiting foster care
- Ensuring every young person has a caring mentor
- Reforming adult systems to better serve former foster youth
What’s next for Fostering Promise, and how can the community help?
“We are launching a Bay Area-wide pilot program to demonstrate how we can eliminate the foster-care-to-homelessness pipeline. We’re also hosting a housing summit to bring together the foster care ecosystem of housing developers, foundations, social workers, policymakers, foundations, service providers, and foster youth to drive innovative solutions.”
Community members can get involved by:
- Joining a policy workgroup focused on housing reform
- Donating to support the work of expanding housing solutions
- Attending the Fostering Promise Youth Housing Summit
- Spreading awareness by sharing Fostering Promise’s mission
Learn more by visiting the Fostering Promise
