Since 2006, Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) has been accepting referrals from foster care case management organizations in Miami Dade for the Second Chance program for older youth (ages 18-23) as they transition from foster care to independent living. 

The Second Chance program provides housing-focused case management and one year of housing and utility subsidy for these older youth, giving them a year of “breathing room” in which to learn how to budget, to save money, to locate and utilize community resources, and to put into practice the real-world life skills they are learning.  Youth in this program are enrolled in educational, vocational, or job training and placement programs, as appropriate.

The Second Chance program offers transitioning foster youth:

• One on one training, mentoring and counseling

• Training on money management, opening bank accounts, etc.

• Assistance with housing searches, landlord-tenant issues, lease negotiation, class registration, etc.

• A transition plan that ensures youth will be able to maintain housing and other necessities on their own. (At the time of graduation, youth must be working or in school, and have a savings account.)

LSF's Second Chance program is a true partnership of committed agencies on behalf of at-risk youth that includes the Miami Dade Office of Community & Economic Development, which provides funding for housing subsidies; Kids Hope United, the ELCA Foundation and the Dade Community Foundation, all of which provide funding for case management services; and the Miami Dade Homeless Trust, which provides the service point data base for tracking outcomes of the program.  Educate Tomorrow provides mentors and mentorship training for volunteers interested in working with the youth.  Local congregations provide contributions, volunteers, in-kind support and representation at the LSF Maimi Dade Advisory Committee.