LAUNCH PAD - a new wealth-building tool for youth

In 2021 we opened PERIS Hill, a first-of-its-kind.

In 2026 we are once again doing something totally unique.
Let us explain.

It starts with some sad truths about foster care. 

On average, those spending their teens in foster care will be forced to move eight times. Eight times. It's hard enough to deal with the present, let alone to plan for a future. And with little-to-no money of their own, budgeting or saving is an even more abstract concept.

So, the large majority of our residents arrive at PERIS Hill never being taught the skills needed to budget and plan for the future. 

In 2026 we're working to change all of that, with an innovative wealth-building tool available to existing and future residents. 

We're calling it LAUNCH PAD.

At PERIS, youth aging out of foster care begin their residency with heavily subsidized rents. 

But we know that youth need to build toward greater autonomy, so over time, subsidies are gradually reduced to bring accommodation costs closer to an affordable rental standard.

Recognizing that even incremental, expected changes can affect residents’ financial stability, we developed LAUNCH PAD to help them manage change and plan and save for the future.

Most simply, LAUNCH PAD operates like this:

• Increases in accommodation costs due to reductions in subsidies, are offset with equal deposits into high-yield savings accounts on behalf of residents.
• The program term is from one to three years and includes financial and budgeting education.
• Residents are projected to save around $5000 over the program term.
• Residents can choose to reduce subsidies more dramatically to maximize savings and interest potential.
• At the conclusion of the program, residents gain full access to their funds and can use them at their discretion. 

More than simply offsetting, our goal is to empower residents, helping them develop the financial knowledge, habits, skills, and savings to launch the next phase of their lives.

This year, rather than asking for your general support, we're being more specific: we need your help to make LAUNCH PAD a success.

Evidence from a three-year external case study and recent conversations with residents confirm that the PERIS Hill model is working: with more than 90% of residents in school or employed, and creating housing stability. With LAUNCH PAD, we'll only build on this success.

In supporting our 2025 Give To The Max fundraising efforts, you'll be investing directly in LAUNCH PAD and having an immediate impact - ensuring young people transitioning out of foster care not only access safe housing, but also build the financial capacity they need to thrive far beyond it.

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT

Some of our most fervent supporters* have agreed to match any donations made during November up to a total match value of $15,000!

That's an amazing match!

So if you donate before the end of November, you'll be triggering a match donation of equal value - effectively doubling your impact. 

There's no better time to support LAUNCH PAD and the young residents of PERIS Hill.

Please donate now.

* Thank you to the following foundations and individuals for offering to match donations through November up to $15,000:

• The Butler Family Foundation
• Tracy Nordstrom and Kurt Waltenbaugh
• Barb Davis
• Stephen Nelson