The TAY Shop is a free-of-charge, appointment-only shopping experience.
Since mid-2017, the TAY Shop has distributed hundreds of thousands of essential items and new clothing to more than 7,500 transition-aged foster youth in Los Angeles County.
Over 3,000 young people in Los Angeles age out of foster care every year.
Who are Transition Age Youth?
Transition Age Youth (TAY) are young people who are in transition from state custody or foster care. Once they turn 18, the level of government assistance that was previously provided for many of their needs is reduced in scope.
We fill in the gaps and help these deserving young people prepare for adulthood. From providing interview-ready clothing and basic essentials for college life, to connecting young people with beneficial resources, we offer the tools that boost confidence and awareness on the pathway to success. Our shop is available to TAY ranging from age 18-27 years and up to age 30 if enrolled in a program of higher learning.
Here are some of the referral agencies and organizations that we work with:
-A Sense of Home
-DCFS
-Educating Students Together
-First Place for Youth
-Foster Care Counts
-Foster Nation
-Guardian Scholars
-Happy Trails for Kids
-iFoster
-Ready to Succeed LA
-Rightway Foundation
-Stepping Forward LA
-Wellnest
Transitioning into adulthood is hard for anyone.
By the time foster care youth reach age 18, they have aged out of the system that has supported them most of their lives.
We're here to help.
Only 50% graduate from high school and only 3% will go on to get a college degree. More TAY go from foster care to prison than go to college. 1 in 5 will become un-housed after age 18.
A FEW WORDS FROM OUR CLIENTS
"The TAY Shop is a godsend. Thank you for your kindness."
"I'm a 20 year old in college and efforts like this matter to me because it's very hard to get things. So the TAY Shop has made my life much easier."
"You guys have opened your hearts and arms for us."
“I really love coming to your events. I started coming because when I moved into this shelter, I had enough clothes for about a week and 1 pair of shoes, so my friend told me about the TAY Shop and that an event was coming up. I was really amazed at the stuff we could get. Now I really like coming to the smaller workshops because I always get to learn something, eat and also still get to shop. The workshops are really important and I really learn alot at them. Also connecting with other people who I can relate to, especially when you recognize somebody that came to the workshop last time. I really like that especially.”