United Health Care Grant Received

$50,000 Grant Awarded to Black Mountain Home for Independent Living Program

United Healthcare has recognized Black Mountain Home as one of six organizations to receive a grant to support youth in North Carolina who have aged out of foster care. According to the Child Welfare League of America, an estimated 20,000 young adults age-out of foster care each year. Without the support of caring adults, these youth often experience a high rate of unemployment and homelessness.

In 2008, Black Mountain Home developed one of the first Independent Living Programs in the state. This program ensures youth have stable housing, job training, and coaching support after they turn 18 and/or complete high school. Allowing youth to pursue higher education, college degrees, trade certifications, or to participate in Black Mountain Home’s own four track apprenticeship program, this program helps older youth develop the skills needed to sustain themselves during adulthood. In addition to life skills classes in cooking, budgeting, applying for a job, and other, the program also helps youth in getting their driver’s license and reliable transportation.

President James O. Harmon expressed gratitude for the grant award, saying, “Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth, and Families is deeply honored to receive the United Healthcare grant. We are grateful for their investment in the services offered through our Independent Living Program, which help equip our youth for successful adulthoods. We are sincerely grateful for the support and look forward to continuing to work together to ensure the success of the youth we serve.”