CASA VALENTINA INC

IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, CASA VALENTINA CONTINUED TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN SUPPORTING FORMER FOSTER CARE AND HOMELESS YOUTH AS THEY TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE. WE ARE PROUD TO SHARE THAT WE SERVED 625 UNDUPLICATED YOUTH ACROSS OUR RESIDENTIAL, ALUMNI AND EXTERNAL PROGRAMS. OUR NUMBERS, EVEN IN A YEAR THAT SAW A LOSS IN FUNDING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, UNDERSCORES THE COMMITMENT TO THE YOUTH OF MIAMI-DADE. LIFE SKILLS DELIVERY: THE 20242025 YEAR BROUGHT UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES, BUT ALSO POWERFUL REMINDERS OF OUR RESILIENCE AND COMMITMENT TO YOUNG PEOPLE. WHEN THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DID NOT RENEW FUNDING FOR OUR EXTERNAL LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM, WE FACED A DIFFICULT DECISION. WE KNOW THESE WORKSHOPS ARE VITAL FOR PREPARING STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS FOR INDEPENDENCE AND LONG-TERM SUCCESS, SO CASA VALENTINA MADE A FIRM COMMITMENT TO KEEP THEM RUNNING DESPITE THIS FUNDING LOSS. WE REALLOCATED FUNDS INTERNALLY SO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS COULD CONTINUE ACCESSING THIS VITAL RESOURCE AT NO COST. OVER THE YEAR, WE DELIVERED 1,609 HOURS OF TRAINING TO 548 STUDENTS, EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE SKILLS, CONFIDENCE, AND KNOWLEDGE TO THRIVE. THIS EXPERIENCE REAFFIRMED OUR DETERMINATION: EVEN IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY, CASA VALENTINA ADAPTS, PERSISTS, AND KEEPS OUR YOUTH AT THE HEART OF EVERY DECISION WE MAKE. RESIDENTIAL & ALUMNI PROGRAMS: WE PROVIDED HOUSING AND INTENSIVE LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMMING TO 27 YOUTH IN OUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM, WITH THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY BEING TWO YEARS. THROUGH SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT, EVERY RESIDENT DEMONSTRATED SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN LIFE SKILLS AND READINESS FOR INDEPENDENCE, AS MEASURED BY PRE- AND POST-ASSESSMENTS. OUR AFTERCARE COORDINATOR WORKED CLOSELY WITH RESIDENTS TO PREPARE THEM FOR THEIR TRANSITION OUT OF CASA VALENTINA, ENSURING CONTINUITY OF CARE AND SUPPORT. IN OUR ALUMNI PROGRAM, WE SERVED AN ADDITIONAL 50 YOUTH THROUGH ONGOING SUPPORT IN ACADEMIC AND WORKFORCE READINESS SKILLS. THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS SPEAK VOLUMES ABOUT THE RESILIENCE, DETERMINATION, AND BRIGHT FUTURES OF OUR COMMUNITY. AMONG THESE YOUNG LEADERS, 32% ARE PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION, WITH 25 ALUMNI CELEBRATING GRADUATION MILESTONES; AN INCREDIBLE MARKER OF PROGRESS, AS HALF OF THE ALUMNI WE SERVED REACHED THIS LIFE-CHANGING GOAL. 88% ARE EMPLOYED, BUILDING STABILITY AND INDEPENDENCE, AND ANOTHER 10% ARE PARTICIPATING IN INTERNSHIPS, GAINING VALUABLE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE.