Connecting Youth to
A Brighter Future
Equipping former foster youth & young adults with the skills and knowledge they need to achieve financial stability and independence!
Helping Former Foster Youth and Young Adults
Your dollar makes a difference. You can join us in donating for our youths.
About Us
My Next Chapter – Connecting Youth to A Brighter Future
A partnership between Shelter 37 and Thematic Learning Organization has designed My Next Chapter – Connecting Youth to a Brighter Future. My Next Chapter is an educational and motivational program that provides former foster youth that age out of the system and youth from the community with real life skill sets to help them in their transition into adulthood and give them an opportunity to secure employment and/or start their own business. Shelter 37 is a non-profit that was founded by 2X Super Bowl Champion, James Washington. James was born and raised in Watts and is committed to giving back to the youth in the community by providing effective life skills, job training, and educational programs. He’s currently the president of the NFL Alumni Association Southern California. is a non-profit who partners with corporations, state and local government, schools, churches, and non-profit organizations to offer educational workshops. Thematic Learning Organization was formed in 2014 by Sharon Griffin who saw a need to bridge the gap between the underemployed and business owners who lacked skilled professional staff.
Our Mission
According to childwelfare.gov, there are over 400,000 children in the foster care system in the United States. The Children’s Law Center of California reports that nearly one hundred times a day, a child in California is placed in foster care and Los Angeles county alone has over 33,000 foster youth in care who have experienced abuse, neglect or abandonment. As a result, youth in foster care often transition into adulthood without the tools and support they need to thrive. Only 1 out of 2 who age out of the system will have some form of gainful employment by the age of 24, and only 3% will earn a college degree.
A partnership between Thematic Learning Organization and Shelter 37 has designed an educational and motivational program, My Next Chapter – Connecting Youth to a Brighter Future. My Next Chapter provides former foster youth & young adults with real life skill sets to help them in their transition into adulthood and give them an opportunity to secure employment and/or start their own business. The trainings are delivered by industry professionals and educators through in-person, virtual and online classroom settings.
Join Your Hand With Us For Former Foster Youth’s Better Life & Future
Join your hand with ours and help foster youth achieve their dreams. Your dollar can make a difference in their lives, and that’s something worth celebrating.
OUR PROGRAM
Scholarships for Former Foster Youth & Young Adults from our Community
Equipping Foster Youth with the Skills and Knowledge they need to achieve Financial Stability and Independence!
My Next Chapter offers scholarships to former foster youth & young adults, ages 18 – 32.
Participants learn how to set goals, stay focused, and the principles for building a solid financial foundation. They also learn key principles of being an entrepreneur, including creating business plans, legal structures, business finances, and risk management. Participants have the option of learning a skill, receive the required licensing or certification and assistance with job placement. They may also choose to receive college counseling to attend college.
Want to Extend A Helping Hand?
We welcome non-profits and community organizations who provide support services to former foster youth and young adults. If your organization is interested in partnering with My Next Chapter to help change the lives of former foster youth and young adults, please get in touch with us.
Got Questions? Get in Touch Now!
Feel free to reach out if you have questions about our program or want to know more about it.