Perhaps the most life-changing opportunities we can provide our youth are good jobs. The iFoster jobs program gives transition-age foster youth this opportunity - stable, well paid career opportunities with our employer partners. 

• 30,000 youth age out of foster care every year at the age of 18 to 21.
• <20% feel prepared to be independent, let alone succeed. As a result within 4 years of existing care:
• 50% will have no earnings and those with earnings will have an average income of only $7,500 per year.
• 50% will spend time in a homeless shelter.
• 70% will be on government assistance.
• Resulting in an >$1Million economic burden to society per failed youth.

iFoster works with community partners to train youth to be successful in a variety of careers and employers in the grocery industry. We train our youth, assess job readiness, and match their abilities and interests to employers and jobs. We also make sure youth have the resources they need to be successful on the job, whether that’s job training and soft skills, or concrete resources like housing stability, transportation, or a cell phone. We can’t guarantee a job. All we ask is that our jobs partners give our youth first priority at an interview. We make sure our youth are prepared, and so far it’s working fantastically.

“It’s been just a phenomenal partnership. The people who come to work for us through iFoster are ideal candidates and employees and really have been a wonderful addition to our workforce.” 

Kendra Doyel, Ralphs and Food 4 Less