Programs & Services
Children's Trust Fund
Guardian Scholars Program
Bridges to Higher Education
Independent Living Program
Independent Living Coaches
Rising Tide Communities
Peer Mentor Program
Orangewood Resource Center
CA Youth Connection
Time Out For Parents
Families and Communities Together
CONNECT
Success Stories
Through the help of Children’s Trust Fund scholarships and the Guardian Scholars Program, Amber received her Bachelors degree...
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Independent Living Program
The Independent Living Program (ILP) provides workshops, special events and support services to foster youth between the ages of 16-21, to help prepare them for emancipation. Annually, about 800 young people attend ILP workshops and educational events. These young adults go on to live on their own more confidently and better prepared for the challenges that adulthood brings. Giving these youngsters a helping hand today breaks the cycle of abuse tomorrow by providing hope for a better future.

ILP focuses on four key areas:
  1. Education
  2. Career
  3. Relationships
  4. Daily Living
ILP participants can:
  • Receive life skills instruction on the four key areas above with the help of volunteer experts from the community and former foster youth called Peer Mentors
  • Attend a variety of workshops held several times each month at locations throughout Orange County
  • Attend special events such as “Independent City,” college bus tours, ILP graduation ceremony and Career Fair
  • Receive the monthly “ILP Connection” newsletter containing information to help foster youth prepare for emancipation and the schedule of ILP workshops and special events
  • Earn “OCF Dollars” for attendance, participation and completion of ILP homework assignments. OCF dollars can be used to purchase items such clothing, food, furniture and other household items
» Click Here for the ILP Schedule of workshops & special events.

» Click Here to view the latest ILP Connection newsletter. (820k PDF)

» Click Here to be added to the ILP Connection newsletter mailing list.

To learn more about the program, please call toll free (866) OCF4Kids (866-623-4543) ext. 210.

RSVP hotline for ILP workshops and events is (866) OCF4Kids (866-623-4543) ext. 300.
Independent City
One of the key ILP events each year is “Independent City.” As a mock city, the event serves as a dress rehearsal for foster teens presenting them with decisions and situations they will face once they emancipate (or "age-out") of the foster care system at age 18. Local businesses provide volunteers to lend a hand with activities, such as opening a checking account, finding an apartment, arranging for day care for make believe children (in the form of hard boiled eggs!), and shopping for groceries within a budget. It is great fun for the young people and a touching experience for the volunteers.
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