The mission of the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative is to ensure that young people—primarily those between ages 14 and 25—make successful transitions from foster care to adulthood. We do this by working nationally, in states, and locally to improve policies and practices, promote youth engagement, apply evaluation and research, and create community partnerships. Our work creates opportunities for young people to achieve positive outcomes in permanence, education, employment, housing, health, financial capability, and social capital.

The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative was created in 2001 from a vision that every young person leaving foster care should have the opportunities and support needed for a successful transition to adulthood. We are a national  foundation whose lead co-investor is the Annie E. Casey Foundation, with major funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and crucial support contributed each year by numerous local funders. The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative is named in memory of Jim Casey, the founder of UPS (United Parcel Service), who improved the lives of millions of American children and families by creating two national foundations. 

In any given state, there are hundreds of young people at risk for leaving foster care without permanent connections to a stable family and community. Nationwide, we help bridge a gap in services for the nearly 30,000 young people who age out of the foster care system each year.

The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative works with public and private partners in 15 sites nationwide.  We have plans to expand to more states in the coming years. 

Read the story behind our logo here.