Our Vision.
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Vision.
A future where every young person aging out of foster care is surrounded by belonging, opportunity, and home - not left to navigate life alone.
We envision a world where mentorship bridges to stability, where safe housing opens the door to independence, and where every young adult knows they are seen, supported, and capable of building a meaningful life.
From mentorship to home, we’re building a pathway to independence.
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Why.
In Alabama, over 350 youth age out yearly. Without consistent relationships or stable housing, these young adults face overwhelming odds - not because they lack potential, but because they’ve never had the chance to build on solid ground.
Every year, thousands of youth leave foster care with no safety net - facing homelessness, unemployment, and isolation within months. We refuse to accept that story.
We believe transformation happens when love is consistent, community is intentional, and hope is made practical.
That’s why we’re building The 614 Initiative - not just an apartment complex, but a living symbol of what happens when people choose to care long after the system lets go.We exist so that every young adult in foster care has a place to belong, a plan for their future, and a community that won’t let go.
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How.
We make it matter by creating an ecosystem of care that grows with each young person’s journey:
Mentorship: We start with relationships that heal - pairing youth in foster care with trained mentors who walk with them through high school, life skills, and personal growth.
The Bridge: We guide each member through readiness for independence - supporting employment, education, and wellness.
The 614 Initiative: We provide stable, fully furnished housing and ongoing community so that the transition to adulthood is supported, not sudden.
Through these stages, we restore dignity, belonging, and direction - giving every participant what they’ve always deserved: a safe place and a strong future.
From Mentorship to Home: Building a Pathway to Independence
Because when foster youth lose support, they often lose their footing.
Each year, thousands of young people age out of foster care with nowhere to turn. Many face homelessness, unemployment, and disconnection. They’re left to navigate adulthood without the consistent support that so many of us take for granted.
At Make It Matter: The Collective, we believe no young person should face adulthood alone. Our story is one of restoration - of rebuilding the bridge from foster care to independent living through intentional mentorship, community, and safe housing.
We’re not just creating programs, we’re creating pathways. We start by walking alongside them, one relationship at a time.
A consistent voice. A guiding hand. A safe place to grow.
Through our mentorship program called The Collective, each youth (grades 9–12) in foster care in Huntsville City Schools is paired with a mentor who becomes a steady presence - someone who listens, encourages, and helps them prepare for the future they dream of.
Our mentors meet bi-weekly, helping students:
- Build life skills (budgeting, self-care, career readiness)
- Discover their strengths and passions
- Develop emotional resilience and trust
- Set realistic goals for independence
The goal isn’t perfection - it’s progress.
Because when a young person feels seen, safe, and supported, everything changes.
The pathway forward - guided, not rushed.
Our mentorship program is more than support; it’s a launchpad. As mentees gain stability, they become eligible for the next chapter - The 614 Initiative - our transitional living program for young adults (19–23) stepping into independence.
Together with their mentors and our team, mentees build a personal success plan that includes:
- Employment or education goals
- Financial readiness
- Emotional and physical wellness
- Community engagement
When they’re ready, we open the door to the next step - a key, a room, a home.
Safe, stable, and surrounded by community.
The 614 Initiative is the heart of our vision - a 32-bed apartment community designed for young adults transitioning out of foster care.
Here, they’ll find:
- Fully furnished apartments
- On-site community spaces
- Ongoing mentorship and life-skills support
- Access to mental health, employment, and education resources
It’s more than a place to live, it’s a place to belong. Where every resident is known by name and supported toward independence.
The Vision in Motion
Together, we’re building it - literally.
We’ve raised $1.5 million of our $7.5 million goal to bring The 614 Initiative to life.
Every dollar raised helps fill the foundation, and the future.
As we raise funds, the building itself will turn yellow - a visual reminder that every contribution builds the home our youth deserve. See the progress we’ve made below! We have officially secured land and covered the excavation costs!
Your Part in the Story
Because real change takes all of us.
When you give, mentor, or spread the word, you become part of something bigger - a movement that transforms uncertainty into stability, isolation into belonging, and fear into hope.
You can:
Every step matters. Every story matters. Together, we make it matter.
Contact us.
info@makeitmattercollective.com
931-298-0101
