Our Purpose:  

We exist to provide support, connection, and family to young adults post foster care.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to empower young adults transitioning from foster care by providing a supportive community that promotes connection, education, belonging, and lifelong family relationships.

Our Vision:

We envision a future where every young adult who has aged out of foster care has the opportunity to be connected to a supportive community and ongoing family network ensuring they are never alone or without home and family.

Our Passion:

Each year, approximately 1,000 youth age out of the foster care system in Ohio, and around 20,000 do so nationwide. While their circumstances can differ significantly, many of these young adults find themselves alone at 18, with little preparation for independent living and no family support. We aim to bring hope and change to this situation.

Forested Families is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering youth who have aged out of foster care by providing a lifelong network of support and community. Our goal is to ensure that every young adult in this critical transition phase has access to the guidance, resources, and family connections they need to thrive. 

The name Forested Families is inspired by the interconnected root systems of trees in a forest. Just as forested trees support each other through their roots, we believe that individuals grow stronger when surrounded by a rooted, grounded, and nurturing community. Like resilient forests that stand tall together, we aim to create a supportive network where young people can find stability, belonging, encouragement, and lasting connections as they build their futures.

At Forested Families, we are dedicated to helping young adults transition from foster care, empowering them to thrive through the ongoing love and support of a family network.

As a faith-based organization and followers of Jesus, we believe in the grace and unconditional love we’ve received, which fuels our passion to serve others. While participation is not dependent on adopting our faith or attending faith-based activities, our commitment to Christ is at the heart of everything we do.