Fostering Kids for Life Program

Healing Hearts. Transforming Lives. Creating a New Story.

Building Brighter Futures with GOYR’s FK4L Program

Fostering Kids For Life Program

The Fostering Kids for Life program (FK4L) at Graceful Oaks Youth Ranch provides the opportunity for a transformative life experience to youth currently experiencing foster care (FC), kinship care (KC), or other adversity within their household or community.

Our mission at GOYR is to come alongside these youth, guiding them through a journey of healing and self-discovery while simultaneously cultivating entrepreneurship and teaching them practical, hands-on business and life skills to set them on a path towards success.

Currently there are over 7,300 children in Colorado who are in foster care (fc), kinship care (kc), or are facing adversity within their household or community.

100%

of these youth have experienced trauma

50%

Do Not Graduate Or Enter the workforce until the age of 24.

33%

of girls in foster Care become Pregnant by age 17, with a second baby by 19

Healing, Learning, Growing

In an effort to meet the needs of this population, we offer a multifaceted approach to provide physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual support.

Through the generosity of our donors and corporate sponsors, this scholarship based program includes:

– Up to four months of weekly animal therapeutic sessions, learning how to cultivate healthy relationships and move past their pain.

– Four months of twice-weekly business and leadership training through our Empowering Youth Leadership Program (EYLP) in preparation for the workforce.

– Business internships and intensive programs for EYLP graduates that will be scheduled throughout the year to receive higher-level hands-on training in managing business responsibilities at the Ranch.

– One-on-one support from the Youth Advocate who partners with each participant for the duration of the program.

– The opportunity to participate in Healing Circles: an informal support group where youth will learn how trauma manifests in the body, the relationship between our brains and our behaviors, and mindfulness tools to cultivate self-awareness.

If you are interested in participating in the Fostering Kids for Life (FK4L) program, please complete the application form below. This program is best suited for youth in Middle School and High School. The application deadline is May 5th, 2024.

Step 1 of 2

Name(Required)

First Last

Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Phone(Required)

Date of Birth(Required)

Emergency Contact(Required)

First Last

Emergency Contact Phone Number(Required)

Emergency Contact Address(Required)

Street Address City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

I understand that full participation in the FK4L program requires a one year commitment in order to access all aspects of the program, which include animal therapeutic sessions, participation in EYLP, internships, intensives, and healing circles.(Required)

Yes

I understand each participant of this program respects all participants, cares for the Ranch and Animals, and encourages others as they grow in serving.(Required)

Yes

I understand the commitment to participate in EYLP, and will be able to meet the requirements of leadership training, Ranch care hours, and serving during community events at Graceful Oaks.(Required)

Yes

For families who are currently providing foster or kinship care to younger children (ages 5 -10), we invite you to participate in our summer camps and/or homeschooling programs. For additional information and eligibility requirements, please contact us at youthadvocate@goyr.org.