The Other Side of the Bridge: A Follow-Up Study of Israeli Young Adults Who Participated in A Transitional Housing Program after Aging Out from Care

ABSTRACT

The Bridge to Independence program aims to provide youths who age out of residential group homes or foster care, and cannot be reunited with their families, with a roof over their heads, emotional and instrumental support, and services that they may need during their transition to adulthood. A follow-up study focused on how youths who graduated from this program fared in terms of their military or civilian service, housing, tertiary education, employment, income, health, leisure activities, social relations, and general satisfaction with their lives. The study was also designed to obtain a retrospective evaluation of their experience as residents in the housing provided by the program. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 25 participants revealed a complex picture of young people facing a variety of hardships, and experiencing some of the same challenges that face youths when they age out from care. Changes introduced in the program in response to the findings are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Independent Living Programs (ILP)
• Transitional Housing Programs (THP)
• military and civilian service
• family support
• youths aging out of care