The Path from Services to Independence

The Path from Services to Independence


Family resources, both financial and emotional, smooth the transition to adulthood for youth. Teens in foster care, juvenile justice, and special education, however, often come from families whose economic resources are limited,

and in some cases, whose family relationships have degraded. As noted above, they are also challenged by a variety of physical and mental health issues. As a result, many of these youth continue to fare poorly as they enter adulthood. More than one-half of youth leaving the juvenile justice system and between 37% and 46% of youth leaving foster care had not finished high school. Rates of joblessness were high for youth exiting foster care (14–51%), juvenile justice (31%), and special education (19–36%). Approximately one-third of the youth leaving foster care were receiving cash assistance two years after leaving.

A. Dworsky and Mark Courtney

A. Dworsky and Mark Courtney

Become part of the Foster Care Aging-Out Project

Looking around... do you see, do you know some young person who struggles with needs financially, socially, spiritually, psychologically? Then, start a ministry - wrap around them with faith, love and support. Stand in the Gap ministry is just this simple! Power up, become part of the Foster Care Aging-Out Project.

Collaboration in Community

Whole life transformation for older youth in foster care is a combination of contributions from the individual youth, the foster care profession, schools, employers, and the faith community --- working together in UNITY for the sake of this one young life.

Life Point Church and Stand in the Gap Missouri

just got back from the birthing of another Stand in the Gap Spiritual Family ... part of the Foster Care Aging-Out Project between SITG Missouri and Boys and Girls Town of Missouri with Life Point Church Ozark - YES!!

The Stand in the Gap Missouri Foster Care Aging-Out Project recruits, trains and connects churches and faith groups to provide a God-dependent, long term, relational approach to caring for kids in foster care. This surround-care approach to giving support is incarnational, transformational and holds the highest potential for helping the young person make a successful transition into independent adulthood. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families. (Psalm 68:5-6)


Stand in the Gap Missouri is funded by the donations of individuals and organizations. Your donation is needed to support operations for the Stand in the Gap Missouri foster care aging-out project. Send donations to Stand in the Gap Missouri, PO Box 111, Sweet Springs, MO 65351

lunch of Stand in the Gap Missouri

I'm launching Stand in the Gap Missouri full-time! Want to help? Schedule a presentation for your church, organizaiton or small group.