We connect teens in foster care with adults who become their support systems, ensuring teens have adults to rely on for advice, guidance, affection and a sense of belonging.

welcome to DCFYI

Teens who “age out” of foster care face a much more difficult transition to adulthood than their non-foster care peers. At age 26, more than a third have experienced homelessness; only 6% have completed a two or four-year college; almost half are not working; and nearly 60% of men and 30% of women have been convicted of a crime.

One caring, committed adult in the life of a child in foster care can make all the difference between struggle and success.

Hear from teens how DCFYI has made a difference in their lives:

Connecting teens. Creating families. Changing lives.

Learn More

Latest Blog Posts

07 Oct

2020 Annual Report

We are so grateful to the donors and volunteers who supported Family & Youth Initiative and the DCFYI youth through the challenges of 2020. From ... read more

23 Jun

Pride Month 2021

In recognition of Pride month, we celebrate the amazing LGBTQ volunteers here at DCFYI. We are grateful to have each of you as part of the wonderful ... read more

26 Apr

In their own words . . .

National Volunteer Week gives us the opportunity to thank the incredible DCFYI volunteers who give so much of themselves and have such an impact on t... read more

What People Say

I was surprised that DCFYI is the only consistent presence in the lives of many of the teens.

DCFYI mentor

It's a lot of fun and there's an amazing community between the volunteers and adults. Going to events is something I always look forward to and I enjoy getting to know the other adults and the teens. I didn't expect to get connected to a whole group of people.

DCFYI Mentor

It’s a choose your own adventure program; you can be as involved or not involved as you choose. There’s a spectrum of ways to engage from driver to host parent. There aren’t expectations for how involved you will be in the program. If time is the problem there are different ways to still be involved.

DCFYI Mentor

This is not just a program or a one off volunteer opportunity where you can pop in and out, it’s a community that is challenging but also really rewarding. It’s exciting to see different relationships formed between teens and adults, between adults, and between the teens themselves.

DCFYI mentor

As a foster youth I always dreamed of a family, a mentor or someone who was my lifelong connection. I didn’t find many of those connections, even though my goal for permanency was adoption. Time doesn’t stop just because you haven’t made that connection, so I grew up, wondering was I too old to have these things. People weren’t looking for a teenager to become their lifelong connections, well that’s what I thought until DCFYI.

Former DCFYI participant, now adopted