LARC mobilizes, equips, and inspires the community to connect with unsupported people.
A lot of teenagers dream of becoming an adult. Independence and freedom to make their own choices are at their fingertips. But for some of America’s most unsupported teenagers, turning 18 means the end of services and resources that the system has made them dependent on. “Aging out”, to an unsupported youth, looks a whole lot like treading water in the middle of a raging ocean storm.
If they somehow manage to ride the waves until the wind dies down (maybe in a couple of years), they still feel all alone with no one around to lend a hand or point them to the shoreline. How can we as a society expect these young people to provide for themselves, let alone a family, if all they can concentrate on is keeping their head above water 24/7?
LARC exists to empower young people by connecting them with resources and supportive relationships to foster continued growth toward a better future.
LARC is not a rescue boat. No, we’re here to hand out “snorkel gear” in the form of resources like job training. We provide “swim coaches” in the form of relationships like mentors and community partners. We rally the community to come alongside and encourage these young people with compassionate care.
2024 by the Numbers
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Children Who 'Age Out' of the DCS System Each Year
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Mentors
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Youth Enrolled with LARC
Education
Educational resources empower young adults, equipping them for better-paying jobs so they can provide for themselves. We partner with individuals and organizations dedicated to helping them navigate college, trade school, or the TASC process. This support may include assistance with financial aid, tutoring, admissions, job training, and more.
Housing
Housing resources help young adults maintain stability—keeping their jobs, caring for their children, and preserving their dignity. We partner with landlords and property managers who offer varying levels of independence and assist individuals in securing a place of their own. WillowBridge, an extension of LARC, provides safe and supportive housing for young adults transitioning to independent living.
Family
Family resources support young parents, helping them strengthen their families and prevent the loss of their children to the system. We connect them with parenting resources and relationships that encourage and equip them to provide for and care for and provide for their families.
Employer
Employment resources help young adults secure meaningful work and find purpose in positive job environments. We partner with local businesses committed to teaching job skills with compassion and supporting each individual’s growth. Depending on their needs, we assist young adults in finding full-time or part-time opportunities.
Church
Church resources help young adults grow in their faith, feel connected, and be part of a supportive community. We partner with local congregations that welcome young adults into a body of believers, offering teaching, accountability, and opportunities to be involved. Based on location and personal preferences, we guide young adults to churches where they can participate in youth groups, Bible studies, or other community activities.
Mentor
Mentors provide young adults with support, guidance, and a sense of belonging. They are community members who model Christ and create relationships that are emotionally, physically, and spiritually safe. Mentors welcome LARC youth into their family, spending time with them and developing a supportive, consistent relationship.
Community
Community partners help young adults prepare for their future. We collaborate with local food banks, furniture banks, and similar organizations to connect them with the physical and emotional resources they need to thrive, moving from surviving to flourishing.
Life Skills
Life skills resources empower young adults to feel equipped and hopeful for their future. We use an online curriculum to assess and teach essential skills needed for independent living. Topics include budgeting, communication, household management, and maintaining employment, helping young adults gain the confidence to thrive on their own.
Testimonials
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Pray
We cannot thank you enough for the prayers offered on behalf of our staff and those we have the honor of serving. Please pray for wisdom for our staff and mentors as they strive to shine Jesus to the young adults we work with. And please pray for the youth and adults we serve who are navigating difficult transitions and life circumstances.
Mentor
Just a few hours a week invested in someone else makes a huge difference! A phone call, playing a game, or having a meal together are all valuable ways to come alongside and do life together while building relationships.
Volunteer
LARC is made up of a network of partners and volunteers who understand the importance of providing support to young adults in transition. Everyone can do something and we would love to put your passion to use with things like providing transportation, teaching a class/life skill, or any number of ways you’d like to get involved.
Give
LARC does not receive any state funding and thus relies solely on private donations and church collections. Your financial partnership allows us to continue to restore hope and provide a network of support to our clients in need of resources and relationships. Please consider donating today.
Meet Our Staff
Travon Erickson
Director of Older Youth Services
Chelsey Conroy
LARC Coordinator
Tim Stauss
LARC Coordinator
Send us a message.
Common Questions
Many of our clients will be aging out of foster care and will need ongoing support when that happens. Our desire is for the mentoring relationship to play a significant role in their life well into their independence.
The LARC staff will be your greatest asset, whether you are a job partner, mentor, or other community partner. We provide training and counsel as long as your relationship exists with a LARC client. For mentors, the LARC team can point you to any resource partners you may need to utilize to help your mentee find housing, a job, education, counseling, physical needs, etc.
We always like to get started with getting to know you, your passions, and your strengths. This gives us a good foundation to best connect you with a mentee. You can get started using the contact form above.
The LARC staff knows both our clients and partners well, and we work hard to make the appropriate connections.
Yes! We believe there is a benefit from getting to know people who come from different places and perspectives. You don’t have to have shared experiences in order to show empathy, compassion, and a desire to help.
Church communities are a very important part of getting our LARC friends connected. Your church family is likely full of life-giving people who are also potential mentors, business owners/managers, rental property owners, and other willing volunteers. Let’s start by lining up a meeting with your pastor. Fill out the contact form above to get the conversation started.
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