Antelope Valley Foster Friends

The Forge is a creative maker space and business incubator that equips foster youth, Opportunity Youth and NEET Youth with the tools, training, and mentorship to launch micro-businesses and social enterprises. The Forge will be a fully equipped hub where young people can learn and launch real ventures with community impact. Aimed at empowering todays youth through hands-on training in technology, design, and entrepreneurship, creating pathways to economic independence and personal empowerment.

Fresh Start Food Co. is a mobile food truck dedicated to empowering foster youth through healthy food, job training, and entrepreneurship by operating a vibrant food truck serving fresh, nutritious food in local communities. By providing paid job training and meaningful employment in food service and entrepreneurship local foster youth will build confidence, skills and hope through real work experience. A true fresh start for their next chapter of life!

Stronger Together: Uplifting Foster Care will support the core programs of Antelope Valley Foster Friends, including our innovative resource center representing the first and only in our area, much-needed respite days, family connection events, and safe, supported visitation spaces. This initiative ensures foster youth and caregivers have access to practical help and emotional encouragement, building stability and community. Together, we’re creating a place where every foster family feels seen, supported, and never alone.

Rise & Shine is a mobile car wash—and a life-changing movement. Our mission is to provide eco-friendly, high-quality vehicle cleaning services directly to customers while creating real, meaningful employment and mentorship opportunities for youth currently in foster care, those aging out of the foster care system or prior-foster-youth exiting the prison system. We believe in second chances, dignity through work, and the power of purpose. We’re not just washing cars: we’re helping young adults Rise & Shine into the people they’re meant to be.

Second Chance Threads gives foster youth a second chance to thrive—through meaningful work, mentorship, and creativity in a youth-run resale boutique. With paid retail training, life skills workshops, and wraparound support for current and former foster youth we ensure that every outfit tells a story—and every young person gets to rewrite theirs. By combining sustainable fashion with social impact, Second Chance Threads empowers young people to rewrite their futures—proving that with the right support, second chances lead to lasting change.