Community Resources
Comprehensive support services for current and former foster youth in Northeast Florida
Essential Resources
We've compiled a comprehensive list of resources available to current and former foster youth in Duval, Clay, St. Johns, and surrounding counties.
211 & Crisis Hotlines
24/7 access to community resources, crisis intervention, and emergency assistance.
Dial 211 or (904) 632-0600
National Suicide Prevention: 988
Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-962-2873
Housing Assistance
Transitional housing, emergency shelter, and rental assistance programs for youth aging out of foster care.
Youth Crisis Center: (904) 725-6662
Daniel Memorial: (904) 296-1055
Hubbard House: (904) 354-3114
Sulzbacher Center: (904) 394-8074
Mental Health Services
Counseling, therapy, and mental health support specifically for current and former foster youth.
Mental Health Resource Center: (904) 695-9330
Child Guidance Center: (904) 448-6700
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Jewish Family & Community Services: (904) 448-1933
Education & Employment
Educational support, scholarship opportunities, and job training programs for foster youth.
Florida Foster Care Tuition Waiver
CareerSource Northeast FL: (904) 356-5627
Fostering Achievement Fellowship
Connected by 25 Initiative
Basic Needs & Food Assistance
Food pantries, clothing assistance, and essential supplies for youth in transition.
Feeding Northeast Florida: (904) 513-1333
City Rescue Mission: (904) 421-5161
WIC Program: (904) 253-1000
SNAP/Food Stamps: 1-866-762-2237
Legal Assistance & Advocacy
Legal aid, rights education, and advocacy services for foster youth and alumni.
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid: (904) 356-8371
Florida Youth SHINE
Foster Youth in Action
Guardian ad Litem: (904) 255-8448
Resources by County
Duval County
Family Support Services
Child welfare services and support for foster families in Duval County.
Daniel Kids
Comprehensive services for children and families, including foster care and adoption.
Children's Home Society of Florida
Child welfare services including foster care, adoption, and family preservation.
Clay County
Clay County Department of Children and Families
Child protective services and foster care support in Clay County.
Clay Behavioral Health Center
Mental health and substance abuse services for children and families.
St. Johns County
St. Johns County Department of Children and Families
Child welfare services and foster care support in St. Johns County.
3255 Agricultural Center Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32092
(904) 829-1000
stjohns.dcf@myflfamilies.com
St. Johns County Mental Health Services
Mental health support and counseling services for youth and families.
1955 US-1 South, St. Augustine, FL 32086
(904) 819-1670
info@sjcmentalhealth.org
Program Information
Comprehensive programs designed to support current and former foster youth
Our Programs
Village of America offers a range of programs specifically designed to meet the unique needs of current and former foster youth as they transition to independence.
Transitional Housing Program
Provides safe, stable housing for youth aging out of foster care, along with life skills training and case management.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Ages 18-24
- Former foster youth or adopted from foster care after age 16
- Currently enrolled in education or employment program
- No history of violent offenses
Duration: Up to 24 months
Application: Available through our waitlist page
Education & Career Development
Comprehensive support for educational pursuits and career development, including mentorship and financial assistance.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Current or former foster youth ages 16-26
- Enrolled in high school, GED program, or post-secondary education
- Demonstrated financial need
Services include: Tutoring, scholarship assistance, career counseling, internship placement
Mental Health & Wellness
Trauma-informed counseling and wellness programs to support emotional health and resilience.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Current or former foster youth
- No age restrictions
- Willingness to participate in counseling sessions
Services include: Individual therapy, group counseling, trauma recovery, mindfulness practices
Life Skills Training
Comprehensive life skills education covering financial literacy, housing, employment, and independent living.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Ages 16-26
- Current or former foster youth
- No other restrictions
Program components: Budgeting, cooking, job interviewing, apartment hunting, healthcare navigation
Mentorship Program
Connects youth with caring adult mentors who provide guidance, support, and positive role modeling.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Ages 14-24
- Current or former foster youth
- Willingness to commit to regular meetings with mentor
Commitment: Minimum 6-month relationship with monthly meetings
Alumni Support Network
Ongoing support and community building for former foster youth who have aged out of the system.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Ages 18+
- Former foster youth
- No other restrictions
Activities include: Peer support groups, social events, professional networking, advocacy opportunities
External Program Partnerships
We collaborate with these established programs to provide additional support to our youth:
Florida's Road-to-Independence Program
Financial assistance for youth who aged out of foster care to pursue postsecondary education.
(850) 300-4323
Extended Foster Care
Voluntary program for youth ages 18-21 who have aged out of foster care but need additional support.
Contact local DCF office
Fostering Connections
Program that helps youth maintain connections with siblings and other important relationships.
(904) 421-5800 (Family Support Services)
Partner Organizations
Collaborating to create a comprehensive support network for foster youth
Our Valued Partners
Village of America works closely with these organizations to provide comprehensive services and support to current and former foster youth in Northeast Florida.
Family Support Services of North Florida
Lead agency for child welfare services in Duval and Nassau counties.
(904) 421-5800
Daniel Kids
Providing comprehensive services for children and families since 1884.
(904) 296-1055
Children's Home Society of Florida
Statewide organization providing child welfare services.
(904) 493-7744
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Educational partner providing tuition assistance and support services.
(904) 646-2300
CareerSource Northeast Florida
Workforce development and employment services.
(904) 356-5627
Mental Health Resource Center
Comprehensive mental health services for children and adults.
(904) 695-9330
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Legal services for low-income individuals and families.
(904) 356-8371
Upcoming Events
Join us for community-building activities, educational workshops, and social events
Events Calendar
Stay connected with our community through these upcoming events designed to support, educate, and empower current and former foster youth.
Life Skills Workshop: Financial Literacy
Learn essential money management skills including budgeting, saving, and credit building. Dinner provided.
Location: Village of America Community Center, Jacksonville
Audience: Ages 16-26, current and former foster youth
RSVP NowAlumni Support Group Meeting
Monthly peer support group for former foster youth to share experiences and build community.
Location: Virtual (Zoom link provided upon registration)
Audience: Former foster youth ages 18+
RegisterCollege & Career Fair
Connect with local colleges, universities, and employers. Resume reviews and interview practice available.
Location: Florida State College at Jacksonville, Downtown Campus
Audience: All current and former foster youth
Learn MoreSummer Community Picnic
Annual summer gathering with food, games, and networking opportunities for youth and supporters.
Location: Memorial Park, Riverside
Audience: Open to all current/former foster youth and community partners
RSVP NowMentor Training Session
Training for new mentors interested in supporting foster youth. Learn about trauma-informed care and effective mentoring strategies.
Location: Village of America Training Center
Audience: Prospective mentors (must complete application first)
Apply to MentorHousing Rights Workshop
Learn about tenant rights, fair housing laws, and how to navigate landlord relationships. Presented in partnership with Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.
Location: Jacksonville Public Library, Main Branch
Audience: All current and former foster youth
RegisterNews & Updates
Stay informed about our latest initiatives, success stories, and community impact
Latest News
Village of America Receives Community Grant
We're thrilled to announce that Village of America has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida to expand our transitional housing program.
Read MoreCelebrating Our Graduates
This spring, 12 young adults from our program graduated from college or trade school programs. Join us in celebrating their incredible achievements!
Read MoreNew Partnership with Local Employers
We've established new partnerships with 5 local businesses to create internship and employment opportunities specifically for former foster youth in our program.
Read MoreAdvocacy Day at State Capitol
Our youth advocates traveled to Tallahassee to meet with legislators and advocate for policies supporting current and former foster youth across Florida.
Read MoreMental Health Initiative Launch
We've launched a new trauma-informed mental health program in partnership with local providers to address the unique emotional needs of foster youth.
Read MoreAnnual Impact Report Released
Our 2022 Annual Impact Report is now available, detailing our programs' effectiveness and the lives changed through our work with foster youth.
Read MoreAnnual Report
Transparent reporting on our impact, finances, and future goals
2022 Annual Impact Report
Download our comprehensive annual report to learn about our achievements, financial stewardship, and plans for the future.
Download PDF Report2022 Impact Highlights
Housing Support
Provided safe, stable housing for 45 young adults transitioning from foster care to independence.
95% housing stability rate
Education & Employment
Supported 68 youth in pursuing education or career goals through our programs.
88% education/employment engagement
Community Building
Engaged 127 current and former foster youth in our support programs and community events.
92% program satisfaction rate
Financial Overview
Village of America is committed to financial transparency and responsible stewardship of donor funds.
Revenue Sources
Our funding comes from a diverse mix of sources to ensure sustainability:
- Individual Donations: 45%
- Foundation Grants: 30%
- Corporate Sponsorships: 15%
- Government Funding: 7%
- Other: 3%
Expense Allocation
We maximize impact by directing resources to programs:
- Program Services: 82%
- Administrative: 10%
- Fundraising: 8%
Florida Registration Disclosure
Florida Registration Number: CH75053
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. The toll-free number is 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) and the website is www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com.
Future Communities
Expanding our reach to support foster youth throughout Northeast Florida
Our Expansion Vision
Village of America is committed to expanding our supportive housing communities throughout Northeast Florida to meet the growing needs of current and former foster youth. Here's a look at our planned developments:
Jacksonville West
12-unit supportive housing community with on-site services and community space.
75% funded
Estimated Completion: Q4 2023
Learn MoreSt. Augustine
8-unit transitional housing program with educational support services.
40% funded
Estimated Completion: Q2 2024
Learn MoreClay County
10-unit community with focus on employment training and placement.
25% funded
Estimated Completion: Q4 2024
Learn MoreGet Involved
Help us build these much-needed communities for foster youth transitioning to independence.
Capital Campaign
Support our expansion through our Building Futures Capital Campaign. Naming opportunities available for significant contributions.
Donate to Capital CampaignCorporate Partnerships
Businesses can support our expansion through sponsorships, in-kind donations, and employee engagement opportunities.
Become a Corporate PartnerCommunity Advocacy
Help us raise awareness and build support for these projects in your community.
Become an Advocate