A transition program for young people aged 18 to 25, after leaving child welfare services.
The young people in the ARIA program need you!
The ARIA program was implemented because, for the majority of young people admitted to MECS (social children's homes), Support from the Department for Child Welfare (ASE) ends at age 18.
Those who have not signed a young adult contract leave Social Welfare for Children upon leaving the establishment that housed them.
Some individuals who no longer have family ties and whose professional integration is precarious, or even nonexistent, are not yet self-sufficient upon leaving their institution, and the risk of them ending up on the streets is then great.
For a young person leaving the child welfare system, this simply means they no longer have any means of subsistence. They are left with «nothing.» They had a difficult childhood, and at 18 years old: they are wished a happy birthday, and told they have to fend for themselves. Their gift: emptiness.
This phenomenon is often highlighted in the media, but to date there is no concrete, effective, and sustainable solution. Hence the fact that within Don Bosco Social Action France, we were tackling this subject head-on, for young adults aged 18-21 to 25 who have aged out of child protective services (ASE) and still need support to independently pursue their personal projects.
How are young people supported?
The ARIA program aims to prevent the risk of marginalization for young people leaving child protection and consists of implementing for the most vulnerable:
1 – The pursuit of individualized support from an educator, aimed at developing the young person's daily living autonomy. Assistance in finding suitable housing solutions for their situation.
- Support in pursuing studies or finding employment, by engaging the young person in the construction of a realistic and effective integration project.
3 – Developing independence skills
4 – And for some, psychological and/or medical support
Founded on the free membership of young adults aged 18-21 to 25 who have aged out of child protection services, and on relational and unconditional support.
How to continue this program in service of these young people for 2025-2027?
The ARIA program, thanks to corporate grants and private donations, welcomed and supported 114 vulnerable young people in Val d'Oise and 54 in Gironde in 2024.
To continue this beneficial program for the young people involved, we must continue to receive financial support. These young adults are no longer under Child Protective Services, are without income, and are counting on you.
We rely on our network of donors: Corporate foundations, Businesses, and individuals who are sensitive to the cause of these young people. Your support is tangible and allows a young person to take a helping hand, which enables them to get on the right path, and not the detours that can present themselves during this delicate age range of 18-21 years.
