About

Supporting Foster Children Toward New Horizons

The Next Chapter Initiative is committed to offering vital aftercare support and shared resources for foster youth. We focus on empowering them with the tools, guidance, and opportunities needed to confidently navigate the transition into independent adult life, reflecting our core mission of fostering hope, resilience, and growth.

Empowering Foster Youth Toward Bright Futures

The Next Chapter Initiative is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young adults who are aging out of the foster care system. Our mission is to provide holistic, hands-on aftercare services that help former foster youth transition into stable, independent, and empowered lives.

Founded in honor of Rick and Vicky, two compassionate foster parents who opened their home—and hearts—to countless children, The Next Chapter Initiative continues their legacy by creating a safety net for those stepping out of the foster system and into adulthood. Rick and Vicky’s lifelong dedication to service and community care laid the foundation for this initiative, built on empathy, action, and unwavering support for youth in need.

Each year, thousands of teens leave foster care without the family, resources, or guidance they need to succeed. Many face immediate challenges, including homelessness, unemployment, lack of education access, and emotional isolation. That’s where The Next Chapter Initiative steps in. We offer comprehensive aftercare programs for foster youth that include:

Housing assistance and help furnishing their first apartment
Mentorship for former foster youth to provide emotional guidance and life skills
Education and job readiness support, including GED prep, college applications, and job training
Navigation of essential forms, such as FAFSA, healthcare, housing, and employment applications
Ongoing community support, creating a sense of belonging and hope

We believe that turning 18 should not mean being left behind. Our goal is to walk beside every young person as they begin their next chapter—empowering them with tools, confidence, and connection.

By investing in aftercare services for foster youth, we’re not just helping them survive—we’re helping them build lives filled with purpose, security, and opportunity.

Join us in rewriting the story.
Whether you’re looking to volunteer, donate, or spread the word, your support helps us transform foster lives—one chapter at a time.

Meet the dedicated advocates shaping brighter paths for foster alumni.