“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
-Jeremiah 29:11

Program Overview

The Transitional Living Program is a natural extension of the longtime residential services that Christ’s Home for Children has offered to youth who have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The program for teenage boys is situated on the Warminster campus while our Paradise campus is host to the teenage girls. Both locations provide easy access to a wealth of community resources for youth training and employment. Components of the Program provide unparalleled opportunities for youth aging out of the foster care system to develop vital life skills and to learn to live as independent adults.

Program Need

The Transitional Living Program was developed in 2004 in response to the need of teenagers in foster care who are experiencing difficulty in making the transition to adulthood.

Statistically, these youth face a higher risk for poverty, homelessness, addiction, criminal activity, and they routinely confront issues associated with inconsistent education, life skills training, and employment opportunities. Together, these trials work against youth in institutionalized care, and create a significant challenge to navigating the "real world."

Certainly, adolescents aging out of the foster care system need a variety of skill-building opportunities that prepare them for adulthood, allow them to build meaningful connections with adults and peers, and to actively participate in the planning and direction of their futures.

Program Goals

(1) Assist youth in learning essential life skills, including home and money management, self care, education, employment, and accessing community resources, so that they may be self-sufficient once they are emancipated from the foster care system;

(2) Help youth to identify attitudes regarding living independently and help build self-nurturance, self-confidence, and an ability to maintain healthy relationships; and

(3) Assist youth in establishing meaningful connections with support networks outside of the program.

Program Description

The Transitional Living Program serves adolescent youth, ages 16 and older. The program builds on the successful use of the Teaching Family Model at Christ’s Home to provide an atmosphere of encouragement and support. The program is founded on biblical principles and offers the following program components:

• supervised living in comfortable, well-equipped, teen-oriented housing,
• life skills assessment and training,
• individual and group counseling,
• case management, and
• mentoring

The Importance of Community Support

Community support is important to the success of the Transitional Living Program and Christ’s Home, and there are various ways to get involved. The program welcomes financial contributions to support daily operation and is grateful for volunteer assistance.

Carefully selected volunteers support the teenagers in the Program through a mentoring component designed to provide meaningful adult relationships. Whether participating in a weekend outing, helping with homework, visiting a local mall, or simply being available to listen, mentors can become very special people in the lives of these adolescents.

To offer financial support, please contact the Christ’s Home Development Office at (215) 956-1885 or (717) 687.9424 (ext. 11). To learn more about mentoring opportunities or to offer other volunteer assistance, you may contact our Warminster campus at 215.956.1882, or our Paradise campus at 717.687.6072.