Youth Empowerment Strategies for Success—Independent Living Program (YESS–ILP) is a comprehensive and integrated program that unites community partners and academic leaders to empower current and former foster youth to successfully transition into independent living. This program works in collaboration with the California Department of Social Services and is hosted on California Community College campuses throughout the state. With a focus on higher education and career training, the YESS-ILP provides youth with life skills and access to supportive campus connections to increase their ability to succeed.

• Increased youth enrollment in mentoring, life-skills training and transition services
• Solid transition to higher education and career training
• Improved youth retention throughout the multi-level training and learning experiences
• Permanent connections to caring adults, institutions, and programs
• Successful transition into independent living
• Purposeful evaluation and constant program improvement

• Encourage a viewpoint that values youth for their strengths and assets
• Provide lifelong campus and community connections
• Provide a smooth transition from K-12 to community college campuses and foster youth education programs
• Provide ongoing access to academic financial aid, vocational training, counseling, housing, and career development services
• Collaborate with caregivers, group homes, county and state agencies, and community partners