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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 21, 2025 | The Indian Eye 18

Mayor, ACS Commissioner Announce

Expansion of Programs to Connect Youth in

Foster Care to College and Careers

City Doubles Number of Youth in Foster Care Enrolled in College for Free Since 2022; Over 4,000
Youth Now Have Dedicated Coaches, With Plans to Expand by 50 Percent

OUR BUREAU

NEW YORK, NY
ew York City Mayor Eric Adams and Ad-
ministration for Children’s Services (ACS)
NCommissioner Jess Dannhauser today an-
nounced major expansions to several programs
designed to help youth in foster care access free
college, intensive coaching, and career pathways.
The announcement fulfils another key commitment
made in Mayor Adams’ 2025 State of the City ad-
dress and is backed by a $163 million investment to
support five ACS programs serving a total of 8,000
young people.
The city’s headline initiative, Fair Futures,
which provides one-on-one coaching, tutoring, ca-
reer guidance, and independent-living support for
youth in foster care or in the juvenile justice system,
will expand from serving approximately 4,000 youth
to roughly 6,000 — a 50 percent increase. Since its
launch in 2019, Fair Futures has become a national
model, offering every young person in foster care,
ages 11 to 26, a dedicated coach. Under the Adams aspirations of every young person. As part of Career programs that “brighten futures, provide skills and
administration, the program was expanded to in- Choice, ACS will also double the number of youth wages, and promote healthy relationships” is essen-
clude youth involved in the juvenile justice system, participating in DYCD’s Advance and Earn pro- tial for young people in foster care or the juvenile
significantly strengthening its reach. gram. Career Choice will serve approximately 400 justice system.
In Fiscal Year 2024 alone, Fair Futures coaches young people and will provide stipends, coaching, fi- Tracy Jenkins, executive director of the Center
— working in partnership with New York City Public nancial assistance for school and program fees, and for Fair Futures, called the citywide scaling of Fair
Schools — helped the majority of ninth-grade youth housing support when necessary. Futures “a monumental achievement,” noting that
in foster care enroll in high schools with above-aver- “As I often say, while we can’t change the price it now ensures individualized coaching across all
age graduation rates. Coaches also helped 116 high- of bread, we can put bread in your pocket,” said 25 foster care and nine juvenile justice providers.
school-age youth who had previously dropped out Mayor Adams. “By helping our most vulnerable — “Thousands of youth will not only achieve academ-
return to an academic setting suited to their needs. our young New Yorkers in foster care — access col- ic success but also build the skills and opportuni-
With today’s expansion, an additional 2,000 young lege and career opportunities, we are putting mon- ties they need for careers and adulthood,” she said.
people will now be able to access these services. ey back in the pockets of those who need it most: Melanie Hartzog, president and CEO of The
Mayor Adams also announced the expansion future generations of New Yorkers. Promises made, New York Foundling, highlighted the growth of
of College Choice, a program he launched in 2022 promises kept.” College Choice, which has expanded from 40 stu-
to provide students in foster care enrolled in two- ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser said the dents at select CUNY schools to more than 500
or four-year colleges with tuition assistance, room- expansion underscores the city’s determination to students nationwide. “We are grateful to the Ad-
and-board support, and a daily stipend. College ensure that young people in foster care have “easy ams administration for its investment and expan-
Choice currently serves 430 youth, up from roughly access to the tools they need to be successful.” sion of College Choice,” she said.
200 only two years ago, and will now grow to support “Ever since we launched the Fair Futures and Alan Yu, executive director of New Yorkers
530 students. The program has delivered measur- College Choice programs, more young people in for Children, praised the launch of Career Choice,
able results: approximately 66 percent of students foster care have had the opportunity to finish high saying it “provides a greater array of vocation-
coached under College Choice completed their se- school and attend college,” Dannhauser said. “To- al opportunities with wraparound services” and
mester with a GPA of 2.0 or higher — up from less day, we’re taking that commitment one step further strengthens young people’s transition to adulthood.
than 50 percent before Fair Futures was introduced. by expanding these programs and making sure that Jeremy Kohomban, president and CEO of
Building on this momentum, the city is launch- all young people — not just those who want to go to The Children’s Village, added, “Just as important
ing Career Choice, a new program offering youth college — receive the support they need to thrive.” as giving our youth family and belonging is ensur-
in foster care financial support and a stipend while Officials from other city agencies and partner ing they have the mentorship, education, and op-
they pursue vocational, trade, or job-training op- organizations also praised the expansion. Keith portunities to pursue a vocation they’re passion-
portunities. This initiative recognizes that a tradi- Howard, Commissioner of the Department of ate about. The launch of Career Choice is truly a
tional college pathway may not meet the needs or Youth and Community Development, said access to game changer.”

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