Linked with For Foster Youth, OFA Internships offer much more than a Foot in the Door.
- If today’s job market is competitive for all who seek employment, imagine how much more challenging it is for young people without a base of family support, friendly connections or work experience to rely on. For these youth, good paying skilled jobs are out of reach – and internships are very difficult to secure.
- OFA believes that workforce preparation is essential for the 26,000 youth aging out of foster care each year. Our InternAmerica program is geared toward much more than just helping these young people get a foot in the door. OFA internships generate great networking opportunities for our students, add prestige and substance to their résumés, and accelerate their path toward becoming valuable employees and assets in the workforce … (full text Spotlight on Internships /Homepage).
Programs; Media, resources; How you can help; Sponsors; OFA blog; Google Video-results for OFA;
Address: Orphan Foundation of America OFA, 21351 Gentry Drive, Suite 130, Sterling, VA 20166, USA;
Contact.
About: OFA defines an orphan as « any child who has lost the love of their parents through death, abandonment, abuse, or neglect. »
Founded in 1981, the Orphan Foundation of America serves thousands of foster teens across the United States. Whether we’re providing them with college scholarships, connecting them with mentors and internships, sending them care packages, or testifying before Congress, OFA is a passionate champion of foster youth.
Each year 25,000 young people « age out » of the foster care system. We’re committed with our partners and sponsors to help foster teens become tomorrow’s successful citizens. We’re working to maximize support for their post-secondary education goals and mobilizing the community at large to assist them.
Our Mission:
- Provide opportunities for America’s foster youth to pursue their college and post-secondary education;
- Highlight the potential of America’s foster youth and show the importance of supporting their dreams;
- Create pathways for citizens, businesses, and civic organizations to assist older foster youth;
- Raise public awareness of the number and plight of older teens leaving the system;
- Draw attention to the bureaucratic maze of foster care that youth are forced to navigate through.
Links: OFA also on about.com; on charity navigator.