On Your Feet Foundation

Support

Getting peer-support, mentoring, career counseling, networking and more is available to birth mothers who are accepted into the program.


Being Assigned a Mentor

The role of the mentor is to:

  • Assist the applicant in determining her skills and interests
  • Help the applicant create short and long term goals to achieve independence
  • Work with the applicant to develop a clearly defined plan of action to reach these goals
  • Connect the applicant to existing community and educational resources
  • Help the applicant apply to specific vocational and educational programs
  • Work with the applicant to develop a grant request to the On Your Feet grants committee.

Financial Assistance

Once the plan is clearly defined, the mentor takes the request to the grants committee of the Foundation Board who determines whether a grant will be made.  Assistance is based on the birth mother’s needs, goals and the specific plan.  Grants may be used for completion of a GED, to get a technical or college degree, or other appropriate vocational goals.  The grant is paid directly to the school or program by the Foundation.  Grants may be made for tuition, books and materials, bus passes, childcare, or other related expenses.  A grant is not guaranteed to an applicant.  The goal must be attainable and additional resources must be available to complete the program. 

Peer Support and Networking

Any woman who has placed a child for adoption can be part of the Foundations’ peer support network.  The Foundation will provide informal opportunities for birth mothers to connect with peers for networking, inspiration, and support.

We host gatherings for birth mothers that provide an opportunity for them to connect with others who share their experiences as birth mothers.

The Birth Mother Retreat

Birthmothers spending supportive time with other birth mothers.
Birth Mother Support
Birth Mother Retreats

Birth Mothers and OYFF

"On Your Feet has had an immeasurable effect on my life post-placement.  I had no idea how profound and difficult placing my child for adoption would be, and was surprised by the breadth of my needs.  OYFF has helped in so many ways. I have a very active and encouraging mentor, and a grant in the form of a computer for job searches. I attended the inspirational birth mother retreat, am part of a birth mother support group, and enjoyed the wonderful Wine and Wishes Celebration. Because of OYFF, I have a network throughout California of birth mothers. We share experiences, pictures, advice and support, getting to know each other better all the time, despite the distances between us."

Apply Online




(download) Birth Mother Application
On Your Feet Foundation Northern California
123 Tenth Street, San Francisco CA 94103
415.513.5010 | info@onyourfeetca.org

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