Helping improve the quality of life for foster care youth
Click here to see a video about Life Lines
The Life Lines Programs serve current and former foster care youth ages 16-23. Our programming is specially designed to help youth become self sufficient, contributing members of society. Youth in Life Lines benefit from intensive case management and are assisted with educational and training endeavors, financial education, medication management, employment placement assistance, mental health services, and general life skills instruction.
Independent Living
Life Lines Independent Living Program serves foster care youth between the ages of 16-21 with intensive case management. Independent Living Providers assist youth with a “hands-on” approach by advocating for them, assisting them with educational and training endeavors, teaching them financial management, life and employment skills, and assisting them with housing placement.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must be between the ages of 16-21
- Must be a ward of Delaware’s foster care system
- Must be willing to contract for services
Referral Process: All youth in Delaware’s foster care system between the ages of 16-21 MUST have an Independent Living Provider. The Division of Family Services (DFS) case worker assigned to each youth is responsible for referring eligible candidates to an Independent Living Provider.
Life Lines Housing
Life Lines Housing continuum boasts an array of housing options coupled with specialized programming designed to meet the varied needs of foster youth. Youth in Life Lines housing benefit from varied degrees of on-site supervision, intensive case management and the opportunity to practice the skills of daily living. Designed to simulate independent adult living in a supportive and educational atmosphere, Life Lines youth work toward individualized goals and realize their full potential.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must have been emancipated from Delaware’s foster care system at 18 years of age
- Must be between the ages of 18-23
- Must be committed to personal growth, willing to participate in all aspects of the program and comply with all program rules and not be considered a danger to self or others
Referral Process: All referrals for Life Lines Housing must come from Independent Living Providers.
For more information, contact:
Hayley Schmittinger
Life Lines Director
(302) 658-4171
Bright Spot Ventures
BRIGHT SPOT VENTURES is a social enterprise to empower and employ youth.
Bright Spot Ventures is Delaware’s first and only social enterprise managed by youth currently or formerly involved with the foster care system. Currently, Bright Spot Ventures operates an innovative online bookselling and recycling enterprise as well as manages the Cool Spring Farmers Market.
West End initiated Bright Spot Ventures to offer realistic work experience to youth who have encountered the foster care system. Bright Spot Ventures employs, empowers, and equips youth with the necessary skills to successfully transition into adulthood.
The Bright Spot Venture experience promotes positive and meaningful outcomes for involved youth. Impacts include resume-worthy employment experience which will facilitate the transition to full-time education and/or employment endeavors. BSV offers an environment in which youth can safely learn appropriate work-place behaviors, increase time management and interpersonal skills, and develop habits that lead to successful adulthood.
YOU CAN HELP!
• Donate your books/CD’s/DVDs
• Set up a drive at your place of employment, house of worship, community organization or college
• Make a tax-deductible financial donation which will be leveraged by BSV earned revenue strategies
• Hire a BSV intern, paid by BSV
• Connect BSV to colleges and trade programs
For more information regarding Bright Spot Ventures, contact:
Carolyn Gordon
BSV Program Manager
(302) 658-2800
Delaware Foster Care Mentoring Program
West End’s Life Lines program, Delaware’s Division of Family Services, the State Office of Volunteerism, People’s Place, and the Murphy School are partnering to develop state-wide mentoring services for youth, ages 16 – 21, who are transitioning out of the state’s foster care system and participating in Independent Living case management. A new component of Independent Living services, the provision of one-on-one mentoring aims to expand the youths’ networks of support. The program will match trained volunteer mentors from diverse backgrounds with transitional youth to provide them with emotional guidance and friendship.
If you would like more information about the program or how to become a mentor, please contact:
Hayley Schmittinger
Life Lines Director
(302) 658-4171