How We Help

Gaining the knowledge, experience and soft skills necessary to secure and keep a job is one important key to your future success. The Embrace Families Youth Services Team works to provide you with continuous opportunities and new experiences, including job shadowing, career exploration and professional mentoring. Recognizing the 21st century talent needs of our nation and local community, you are encouraged to explore and seek jobs in a variety of career disciplines, especially those in the hospitality and STEM fields.

Career shadowing opportunities are designed to provide you insight to a variety of exciting industries and careers. Previous job shadowing experiences include:

• Apartment Association of Greater Orlando: Property Management, Leasing Officer, Maintenance
• Florida Hospital: Human Resources, Patient Financial Services, Nutritional Services
• Rosen Hotels and Resorts: Restaurant and Hotel management
• EA Sports: Game Design and Software Development
• Apopka Police Department: Law enforcement

Career Builder:
Through a partnership with Career Source Central Florida, we facilitate paid summer internships and apprenticeships for our youth in targeted fields, particularly the skilled trade industries. In addition, a dedicated career advocate, funded by Career Source, works year round to help with job placement for youth who have finished high school or have achieved their GED.

Teens and young adults interested in receiving employment assistance, or employers interested in providing a job shadow experience, email youthservices@embracefamilies.org

Embrace Families’ educational services team provides educational advocacy and programs to ensure the academic success of the young people we serve. We work with educational liaisons throughout the region to enroll our teens and young adults in school, advocate for those who need extra resources, and connect them with on-campus and community resources. Our goal is to assist with academic, personal and financial planning as you learn to become self-sufficient.

Our educational services and programs include national award-winning, school-based programs, such as High School High Tech. Other community partners, such as AOK Scholars and the Foundation for Foster Children, assist by providing financial support and tutoring, as well as celebrating personal accomplishments.

The State of Florida provides free college tuition and fee exemptions to eligible young adults who are currently, or formerly, in the foster care system. The waiver is authorized at public universities and colleges in the Florida College System, as well as School District Workforce Education Programs. Learn more about the tuition exemption and see if you are eligible.

If you have any questions about education benefits and services, contact our Education Manager at youthservices@embracefamilies.org.

With the rising cost of housing in Central Florida, finding affordable housing can be daunting for a young person on a limited income. Embrace Families’ dedicated Housing Manager is here to help!They have expertise in helping to identify and secure affordable housing options located in safe neighborhoods and close to transportation.

For housing assistance, please email youthservices@embracefamilies.org.

Keys to Independence:

The independence that comes with learning to drive is seen by many teens as a rite of passage; however, there are many barriers young adults in foster care must overcome before they can reach this goal. Limited discretionary income, lack of access to a vehicle to practice on, and independently obtaining insurance are just a few of the factors that make obtaining a driver’s license seem like a far off dream.

The Keys to Independence Program, which is managed statewide by Embrace Families, is a first-of-its-kind program designed to lower these barriers. This program reimburses young adults and their caregivers for the costs associated with driver’s education, standard fees and other costs related to getting a driver’s license, as well as motor vehicle insurance.

Learn more about how to apply to this program at www.keystoindependencefl.org

Car Loan Program:

For a young person without reliable transportation, pursuing a higher education or commuting to work can present a major roadblock. Thanks to a donation from IBERIABANK, Embrace Families assists young adults currently or formerly in the foster care system obtain auto loans. This car loan program helps young adults with little or no credit history obtain affordable loans from reputable dealers. More importantly, it opens up a pathway to achievement and future success.

For more information about our car loan program, please email youthservices@embracefamilies.org.