Shalini’s Story

Shalini is a young woman who knows exactly where she’s headed. A chance experience tutoring young children as a high school student while in SCO’s foster care program ignited her passion for teaching, and now guides her every step.

With a razor-sharp focus on achieving her goals, Shalini has mapped out her immediate and long-term plans. First, she’ll graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree in early education. And then it’s off to graduate school to earn her master’s in teaching. A few years ago, these might have been considered lofty goals, but with the right supports in place, Shalini is well on her way.

Shalini was placed in SCO’s Foster Care program after the death of her father 9 years ago. While safe and well-cared for by her foster family, she was angry and worried about the future. “I needed a team to support me and advise me, and give me the right tools to succeed,” she reflects.

And a team is exactly what she received. SCO provided the resources, services, and guidance she needed to become her best self. During high school, a team of education and mental health specialists helped Shalini overcome obstacles and helped her to realize she “did not have to transition to adulthood alone.” She participated in mentoring programs, made new connections, and built relationships with other young adults in care. As her confidence grew, Shalini began tutoring children from a nearby elementary school as part of her program with SCO. That was the “aha” moment that shaped her future. She fell in love with teaching!

When it was time for college, SCO’s staff helped Shalini complete applications, navigate financial aid, and apply to the Dorm Project, which enables her to live in a college dorm all year round. Her SCO coach remains a constant presence and is even helping Shalini work towards getting a driver’s license.

Today, Shalini is a rising junior at Hunter College, and we have no doubt she will achieve all she sets out to accomplish.

Michael’s Story

When Michael was incarcerated, he felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. Trying to rebuild his life afterward felt nearly impossible—the uncertainty, the fear of what the future holds, and the pressure to somehow figure it all out. He felt like society had already given up on him, and the road ahead seemed dark.

But then Michael discovered SCO’s Young Adult Workforce Program (YAWP). The Young Adult Workforce Program helps young adults on Rikers Island prepare for the future by providing training and support, both before and after release, to help create a smooth transition back to the community.

Michael took full advantage of the opportunity. Through YAWP, Michael gained valuable skills and opportunities that have helped him meet life’s challenges head-on. Through hard work and dedication, Michael earned his OSHA 30 certification, a barista license, and even a barbering license. He obtained his driver’s license and his state ID.

To some people, they might seem like small things, but to Michael, they were life-changing. Those documents weren’t just pieces of paper—they were a lifeline. They represented hope, a future, and the possibility of standing on his own two feet upon his release. The staff of the Young Adult Workforce Program didn’t see Michael’s past, they saw his potential. And they helped him see it, too.

When Michael came home, he was ready…with a renewed sense of purpose.

Just five days after his release, Michael was hired by the REFORM Alliance, a highly respected criminal justice reform organization, to be their Gen Z Organizer. He loves the work and the opportunity it gives him to help others, just like he was. He’s a big believer in paying it forward.

“SCO gave me back something I thought I had lost—my sense of self. They gave me the belief that I could make it, that I had worth, and that my future wasn’t defined by my past. They allowed me to see that there is a community out there that cares, that’s ready to help lift you up when you need it most.”

Michael has demonstrated exceptional resilience and determination in overcoming challenges and is on a path to a successful future. He is a shining example of the transformative impact that support, guidance, and opportunity can have on a young person’s life.

Become a Foster Parent

Foster Care

It’s all about Caring

Open your heart and home to a child in need. The effects will last a lifetime!
Our foster parents reside in New York City and Long Island. Foster parents are dedicated to the child, their family and the SCO mission. If you are 21 or older, have a stable income and have enough room in your heart and home.

Learn More

Foster parents are:

  • Single, married, widowed, same-sex couples, LGBTQ affirming, all races and ethnicities
  • Age – over 21, no age limit
  • Geographic areas: NYC and Long Island. SCO hubs in Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island

Our Foster Care team is here
to help every step of the way:

  • Orientation, ongoing support and training
  • Medical care and mental health services
  • Education support
  • 24-hour access to SCO staff

Open your heart and your
home to a child in need.

Inviting a child into your family is one of the most fulfilling commitments you can make. Its effects can last a lifetime. SCO Family of Services is looking for people who are committed to children, their families, and to our mission of providing unconditional care to those who need it most. Caring families are needed to provide traditional Family Foster Care and Therapeutic Family Foster Care for children with emotional and behavioral challenges.

Learn More

 

Inquiry Form for Prospective Foster Parents

Name
Address
Living Status
Interested in


If you have additional questions please contact [email protected]

Shalini’s Story

Destined for success with support from her SCO team

Read Shalini’s Story

Michael’s Story

Finding his sense of purpose

Read Michael’s Story

Children in our NYC shelters had a

96%

attendance rate at NYC DOE schools

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