JIT Foster Youth

Just in Time is currently the only volunteer-driven organization in San Diego that that functions as an extended family to provide much needed gap services to support foster youth in their educational pursuits, vocational training, furnishing of first homes, and financial stability.
Our target population is all of San Diego County's emancipated foster youth, ages 18-26, who are striving for self-sufficiency through education, employment, and financial management.
Each year, approximately 300 youth of the 6,000 in San Diego foster care reach the age of 18 and are "emancipated."
JIT's efforts began in 2002 and in June 2007, JIT secured tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status (retroactive to July 16, 2006) and began operating officially as an independent non-profit organization in San Diego County.
Since its creation, JIT has given more than $1 million in aid to this underserved segment of our young adult population and made 1200 assists to foster youth in 2009 alone.
Just in Time relies on donations from the general public and grants. Because JIT is powered by volunteers, approximately 80% of all donations go directly to youth assistance.

Only 48% were working, compared with 72% of their peers, and median income was $8,000 compared to $18,300 for their peers.
About 37% had been homeless or had couch-surfed during this period.
Nearly 25% did not have a high school diploma or a GED.
60% of the young men had been convicted of a crime, compared to 10% of their peers.
50% reported at least one hardship in the past year, such as an eviction or utility shut-off.
33% didn't have enough to eat at some point in the past year.
Less than 50% had a bank account compared with 85% of their peers.

Within 18 months of emancipation, 40-50% of former foster youth become homeless.
60% of youth emancipate into destitution, earning incomes at or below $6,000 per year.
50% experience high rates of unemployment within five years.