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Twin brothers, enrolled in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s (ESLC) new program Building Futures, are among 16 adults who are excited to take advantage of educational opportunities, all while they are transitioning out of the Illinois foster care system. 

Illinois has approximately 325 young adults, ages 17-20, who age out of the foster care system each year. Reportedly, only little more than half of those young people are either employed full time or attending school, according to Karen Roberson, Building Futures program director. 

Building Futures is a statewide program, designed to help young adults 17-20 aging out of the foster care system obtain credentials and work experience. The ultimate goal is help young adults secure living-wage employment and learn how to financially support themselves when they are no longer in the foster care system. 

The program is a collaboration among the Illinois Department of Commerce, Department of Children and Family Services, and the Workforce Investment Board. The ESLC’s new grant will help 49 young adults like the twin brothers navigate a pathway to post-secondary and career success. The Center’s goal is to serve its capacity of students by Sept. 30, 2018. 

 “The program is focused on eliminating barriers for young people in positioning themselves to be successful in education, training, employment and life. 

 “For instance, many young people face transportation problems,” added Roberson. “Among the many things that this program does is to provide bus passes for people to get to and from job interviews and work.” 

Roberson has a master’s in social work from Washington University and has 25 years of experience working in the child welfare system. She previously worked as a supervisor for Hoyleton Youth and Family Services in Fairview Heights and for Volunteer of America of Illinois as a case manager, supervisor and manager.

But according to Roberson, her passion is working directly with young people, and coaching them and connecting them to resources. 

Building Futures offers young adults the tools and resources to navigate their way into a career. Services include life coaching, career counseling, resume building, leadership training, soft skills training, technical skills training, assistance with basic needs, and most importantly motivation and encouragement from a cohort of students who are also preparing to leave the foster care system. 

“We are trying to motivate young people to think outside of the box,” Roberson said. “I let them know that just because you started out in foster care, doesn’t mean you can’t be successful. 

“I’m really excited about the great potential of this program,” she said. “It’s not going to be easy, but if they give it their all, this is a win-win situation.” 

“We see economic development in Greater East St. Louis and the financial stability for our youth and adults as the foundation for transformational change for the community, families and individuals,” said ESLC Executive Director Jesse Dixon. “We are taking an innovative approach to tackling this issue.” 

Building Futures is part of the SIUE Metro-East Accelerated Training and Career Hub (MATCH). MATCH is an approach to creating career pathways for adults that focuses on helping low-income, non- traditional students’ access stackable credentials that lead to living wage jobs in high demand fields such as information technology, education, health sciences, education and advanced manufacturing. 

With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals - from pre-school through adult - in the Metro East. Head Start/Early Head Start and a charter high school are among the programs that offer the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. The Center also assigns first priority to encouraging, supporting and improving the educational success of the residents of East St. Louis and surrounding urban communities. The Center provides comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts. 

Photo:
Karen Roberson is the director for the new Building Futures Program at the SIUE East St. Louis Center.