Empowering Futures

Charting Careers will begin piloting the Empowering Futures component of our programming in 2025. In this component, we will serve foster care youth in Anne Arundel County from ages 12-24. The mission of the Empowering Futures program is to nurture, equip, and empower youth in foster care, and their families, by providing comprehensive access to integral resources, life skills training, mentorship opportunities and dedicated support to help them thrive and succeed.

We are committed to:

  1. Connecting youth and families with vital community resources and support systems

  2. Providing opportunities to cultivate essential independent living skills for successful adulthood 

  3. Preparing youth for higher education, vocational training and meaningful employment

  4. Providing personalized mentorship that fosters personal growth, resilience and self-sufficiency, through critical developmental stages

  5. Advocating for the unique needs of foster youth to ensure their voices are heard

  6. Creating a supportive network that extends beyond the foster care system

Through dedication, compassion, and empowerment, we strive to create pathways to bright, self-determined futures for foster youth in our community. 

Our Guiding Principles:

  • Individualized Support: Tailoring our approach to meet the unique needs of each youth

  • Empowerment: Fostering self-reliance and confidence in decision-making

  • Inclusivity: Embracing diversity and ensuring equal access to opportunities

  • Collaboration: Partnering with families, case workers and community organizations

  • Lifelong Learning: Encouraging continuous personal and professional development

Process

A licensed social worker will be available to meet with the youth, their family/caregivers and/or case worker to discuss resources, services, and any other guidance that may be needed.  

The program will also provide support and guidance to foster parents to help youth build a foundation for a successful transition to adulthood and independent living. Together, we will work on upcoming challenges and ways to partner. Foster families will be invited to attend any of our Family Programming.

Empowering Futures will continue to work with and support youth following their transition out of the foster care system and until they are age 24. Alumni from the program will be invited to give back and provide support to current scholars and families.

Staffing

Oversight of the project will be provided by Dr. Elaine Reed, DSW, LMSW.  Dr. Reed is a licensed social worker who has over 30 years of experience in administration and programming in the mental health and substance abuse fields. In addition to extensive experience working and volunteering with youth and young adults she was also appointed by the Governor of Maryland to serve on the Citizens Review Board for Children in Anne Arundel County in 2021 and in 2025 to the State CRBC Board to represent Circuit V. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work and Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service

Existing staff at Charting Careers will help support the project and interns in human service programs at local colleges will provide additional assistance.

By connecting youth with resources and ongoing support we can create a transition process that unfolds over time that will help them sustain success upon exiting the child welfare system and establish lasting connections to reduce the risk of negative outcomes. With trained staff and active community engagement, we can offer the guidance and support they need to move towards independence and help them develop the essential life skills to help them thrive.

For more information and/or to make a referral please contact, Dr. Elaine Reed, Chief Strategy Officer, at  elaine@chartingcareers.org