Independent Living Skills (ILS)
Empowering Independence One Skill at a Time
At NYAP, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live with confidence, dignity, and autonomy. Our Independent Living Skills (ILS) programming equips adolescents with the practical tools, knowledge, and support they need to navigate daily life, make informed decisions, and achieve personal goals. Whether it’s managing a household, handling finances, or building self-advocacy, we’re here to help every step of the way.
Aging out of foster care comes with big changes – and even bigger opportunities. Unlike many of their peers who grew up in a stable family environment where independent living skills are taught, youth experiencing foster care are often left to navigate the journey to adulthood without that same guidance and support. Critical skills like workforce readiness, budgeting, and household management are essential to successful adulthood. With the proper support, we believe that every young person can thrive.
Why It Matters
With access to structured, trauma-informed support, youth aging out of foster care face lower risks of homelessness, unemployment, incarceration, and mental health challenges. Our ILS programming helps youth gain practical skills, build confidence, and connect with resources and relationships that foster long-term stability and success.
Additionally, structured independent living skills sessions help foster parents ensure the youth in their care are prepared for adulthood and create a natural form of regular respite that lends itself to burnout prevention and foster parent support.
Who Can Benefit
Our Independent Living Skills programming is designed for youth ages 14 and older who are currently experiencing foster care or have recently transitioned out of the system. Whether youth need help planning for college, managing a budget, or securing safe housing, our program offers personalized, culturally responsive services that help give each young person the support they need to thrive in adulthood.
Our Approach
NYAP’s ILS programming provides hands-on life skills training, housing support, and mentorship to assist youth ages 14 and older in successfully transitioning to adulthood. Our ILS programming addresses the following areas:
Education Support – GED prep, tutoring, college, and technical school readiness
Employment Readiness – Resume writing, job interview coaching, and job placement assistance
Housing Preparation – Budgeting, lease education, and landlord communication skills
Financial Literacy – Banking, saving, credit management, and tax basics
Health & Wellness – Physical and mental health education, access to healthcare, and self-care practices
Daily Living Skills – Cooking, cleaning, time management, and transportation planning
Legal Rights & Advocacy – Navigating benefits, obtaining vital documents, and understanding legal rights
