Skip to main content
ioby logo

ioby has closed its doors. Read more here.

Foster Share Home

support foster youth through mentorship, housing, and educational opportunities 

Leader

Kevinee Gilmore

Location

1234 Maple Heights, OH 44137

About the project

 
 
After entering foster care at age 13, Foster Share founder Kevinee Gilmore was placed in thirteen homes and attended five high schools before being legally emancipated from the system at age 18. Kevinee’s social worker suggested attending college in order to be able to live in the dormitories, but she still struggled with homelessness during holidays and breaks. In 2009, after seven years, Kevinee graduated with a degree in social work.
Foster Share is the product of Kevinee Gilmore’s expertise in social work, experience in the foster care system, and passion to elevate the futures of the many motivated foster youth who find themselves in situations like hers.
This project seeks to raise funds to break this cycle by providing supportive housing, live-in assistance, and opportunities for interconnection for youth.  A property has been purchased and is owned free and clear.

The Steps

Gather volunteers

Purchase supplies 

Promote action day for voluneers

Connect young people in need of housing

 

Why we‘re doing it

In 2014, the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services supported 4,944 local youth as well as 330 children in court-ordered protective supervision cases. Nationally, over 415,000 youth were in foster care in 2014, including over 123,000 teenagers. Students with a history of child welfare involvement are half as likely to graduate from high school as their peers, and only 2% of former foster youth will receive a bachelor’s degree., However, helping just one aged out foster youth succeed saves the government and taxpayers $300,000 over his or her lifetime.

In Northeast Ohio and beyond, Foster Share seeks to make a difference in the lives of foster youth by providing emotional support, financial development, life skills, and ultimately self-sufficiency as they realize their potential. Help us end poverty among foster youth through mentorship, supportive housing, and educational opportunities.

$10,535.00 / $10,535.00