When Max was 13 years old, his mother unexpectedly passed away. Having no biological family to care for him, Max entered the foster care system and was placed with loving Family Care Network foster parents. Max worked hard through high school and earned good grades while working part-time. He felt ready for life after high school when he graduated, but he quickly found it difficult to juggle college and a job. Even though Max had the emotional support of his foster parents, he needed more help balancing all of his new adult responsibilities without drowning. At age 20, Max entered the Family Care Network THP+ program so that he could remain in school while working towards his future goals.

In THP+, Max moved into an apartment complex with another male around his age and a Residential Advisor (RA) several years older than him. The living arrangement helped to ease some of the financial burden that Max was experiencing while trying to attend his community college courses and make enough money to live. While in care, Max and his THP+ team, consisting of his RA, THP+ staff and some friends from school, set some independent living goals for Max, including saving money, buying a reliable car and completing his general education requirements at school. Max’s long term goal was to become a Paramedic, so it was important for Max to get on track with his schooling. As transportation equaled freedom in Max’s book, he was also determined to save enough money to purchase a reliable car. Buying a car was so important to him that before Max entered THP+ he had been working over 40 hours per week trying to save money, which drastically impacted his schooling. As a THP+ participant, Max received helped in budgeting in order to save more money and found relief from having to pay a lot of money in rent. Three months into the program, Max was connected with a community member who gave him a great deal on a reliable car. Max’s ability to set and achieve such an important goal worked to increase his self-esteem and his belief in his own capabilities; he felt like he could tackle the world!

In the past year, Max has spent his time in THP+ trying to rise above his own circumstances, working everyday to become an independent young man. Max’s THP+ staff and friends grew to admire his positive attitude and optimism, impressed by his openness to learn; in fact, Max became a role model to his fellow THP+ participants, especially his roommate. While Max continues to work towards his goal of adult independence, THP+ is excited to see where his determination will take him next.

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*names and photos of clients are ficticious to protect their identity