Walden's Independent Futures Program provides individualized training and support for foster children preparing to emancipate from foster care as well as services post-emancipation. This program focuses on five core areas of independence; education, housing, employment, financial literacy and connections.

Walden believes the most critical factors of a successful transition from foster care to adulthood are family support, acceptance, and guidance. That is why Walden designed the Independent Futures Program. As youth face legal emancipation, the Independent Futures Program helps them set educational, housing and employment goals, laying a foundation and forming a "road map" for their transition.  

Independent Futures allows Walden to:

• Assist youth in securing scholarships for tuition and books;
• Provide direct support to offset living expenses;
• Assist with transportation expenses;
• Provide startup living essentials for youth moving out on their own, including items such as sheets, dishes, utensils, small appliances, towels, toiletries and other expenses;
• Provide a small stipend to foster parents or mentors (to assist with expenses to include youth in family vacations, holidays and special occasions);
• Allow the foster youth to remain with the family once state funding ends.

Walden has seen a dramatic improvement in the areas of education and employment through the implementation of the Independent Futures Program. Our recent outcomes are noteworthy: 86% of the youth in the Independent Futures Program earned their high school diploma or GED, compared to the national statistic of 37%. 72% are employed, well above the national statistic of less than 50%. 75% of our Independent Futures youth are in college. Most importantly, individuals who have been part of the cycle of family violence are offered the opportunity to break it by pursuing educational, employment and emotional possibilities that will take them well beyond their past abuse.