For young people in foster care, the transition toward adulthood can begin long before they turn 18.
Between school, relationships, mental health, and decisions about the future, adolescence is already a period of significant change. Young people in foster care may also be preparing to navigate housing, employment, health care, and community resources with limited stability or support.
New Narrative created the Rosebud Supportive Living Program to help close that gap.
Rosebud is a nine-bed supportive living program for foster youth ages 16 to 18. The program provides a stable residential setting where young people can strengthen daily living skills, receive behavioral health support, and prepare for greater independence.
Supporting young people before adulthood
New Narrative’s youth services have long supported young adults through Compass Rose, a program serving people ages 18 to 21 as they transition out of foster care.
Through that work, staff saw an opportunity to begin earlier.
Many young people can benefit from practicing essential skills before they reach adulthood—from preparing meals and managing appointments to building healthy relationships and learning how to advocate for their needs.
Rosebud is designed to provide that opportunity in a supportive home environment.
“Youth in foster care—especially those with mental health challenges—are often looked at as a problem to fix and can miss out on so much, including the opportunity to organically learn and grow from a supportive family,” said Megan Soucy, New Narrative’s Director of Youth Services. “New Narrative is attempting to make that learning gap just a bit smaller through our advocacy and programming.”
A home built around dignity, safety, and belonging
Rosebud is more than a place to stay.
The program is intended to help residents build confidence, practice independence, and develop the skills they will use as they move into adulthood. Staff provide support while respecting each young person’s goals, choices, and growing autonomy.
The residential setting also creates opportunities for the everyday experiences that help a place feel like home: bonding together while doing routine household activities, relaxing after school, spending time outdoors, celebrating milestones, and building relationships.
“This program will give youth the framework they need in a critical stage of development as they receive the care and community structure they need on their path to becoming independent adults,” said New Narrative CEO Julie Ibrahim. “We are ready and thrilled to expand our service offerings to meet the needs of foster youth in our community.”
Building on what works
Rosebud builds on New Narrative’s experience providing behavioral health care, housing, peer support, and community-based services.
The program is an innovative pilot developed in partnership with the Oregon Department of Human Services. It is intended to address a gap in the child welfare continuum while helping young people develop the tools, relationships, and stability they need to thrive.
By supporting youth earlier, Rosebud has the potential to improve individual outcomes while also reducing pressure on systems that too often respond only after a young person reaches a crisis.
Help make Rosebud feel like home
Rosebud’s residents and staff have identified several items that would help make the home safer, more welcoming, and more connected.
Their list includes practical household needs and opportunities for recreation and community, such as:
- A picnic table
- A refrigerator and freezer
- A basketball hoop
- Video game consoles
- A storage shed
- Motion sensors and security cameras
Each item contributes to a larger goal: creating a place where young people can feel secure, spend time together, and build a sense of belonging.
Help Make Rosebud Home – Donate Today
Your support can help residents create a home where they can learn, connect, and prepare for what comes next.
