Grant boosts Spirit of Success Institute

4KIDS of South Florida recently received a $75,000 grant from the Jim Moran Foundation that will expand its Spirit of Success Institute.

Ashley Williams, a program director for the North Lauderdale-based 4KIDS, said the money will boost its transitional independent living program for those ages 18 to 23 who have aged out of foster care. In the past year, 4KIDS operated several group homes that served 23 who previously were in the foster care system. Part of the program involves teaching skills to help youth become independent and self-reliant.

“These children for the most part have been neglected in their earlier years, and to expect them to live independently without the guidance of parents and to expect them to be fully functioning on their own is unrealistic,” Williams said.

“While considered adults at 18, youth who are aging out of foster care are still very young, and yet they have been through more than most of us can imagine,” said Jan Moran, the foundation’s president and chairwoman. “We believe that with a little extra help, a little extra support, each one of the 4KIDS residents have the chance to reach their greatest potential.”

With the addition of a case manager, they will get the additional benefit of weekly meetings and assessments where they can map out and work on individual growth and development plans, Williams said.

“This grant, and the hiring of a case manager that it makes possible, allows us to grow and focus on measuring the success of this program,” she said.

Evans Jean-Charles went to 4KIDS when he was 19. His mother died when he was 12.

“I had a hard life. Living with my dad didn’t work out, and I was a few months from being homeless,” he said. “When I came to 4KIDS, it was a completely different environment and culture, but I wasn’t used to it. But once I got there, I started to change some of the things I was doing.”

Jean-Charles later enrolled in college, graduated with a computer science degree and landed an IT job at a local law firm. He’s grateful for the help he received at 4KIDS and comes after his workday to serve as a resident adviser.

“They need guidance. They don’t have the work lifestyle, but once you go through the program, they are there to help you fix yourself,” he said.

For more information, call 954-979-7911 or visit 4kidsofsfl.org.