Our WorkEquityLifting Up Communities Historically Underserved by EducationFoster Youth SupportYouth Empowerment Strategies for Success—Independent Living Program (YESS–ILP)

Youth Empowerment Strategies for Success—Independent Living Program (YESS–ILP)

Empowering youth to succeed.

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 is in partnership with and funded by 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, YESS-ILP provides youth with life skills and access to supportive campus connections to increase their ability to succeed.

Program Services

YESS–ILP strategically brings together high schools, community colleges, local county social services offices, and community organizations that are invested in improving outcomes for transition-age foster youth. 

Through YESS-ILP, we: 

  • 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

Program Benefits

  • Educational workshops

  • Hands-on life skills training

  • Independence transition services

Through our program, students have the support and resources necessary to make educated decisions about important life events like: educational opportunity, living independently, employment and so much more.

Program Impact

  • 18 College Campuses

    throughout the state offering YESS services

  • 2000+ Foster Youth

    served each year

  • 1000+ Hours

    of hands on training provided to participants each year

  • 6000+ Hours

    of one-on-one support offered to participants each year

Student Testimonial

Johnathan, Butte College

“I recently received gift cards from [YESS-ILP] for The Grocery Outlet. Thank you so much to the Foundation for California Community Colleges for their donation of these gift cards! It was a tremendous help and relieved a lot of stress and anxiety for me in terms of food security. Foster youth, unlike many other students, don’t have parents whose refrigerators and pantries they can raid and often, don’t have anyone they can call on when times get tough. These gift cards made a huge difference in my quality of life, and in turn, help make my success in school more attainable.”

Resources