The Warrior Woman Foundation aim to empower 30 women and girls transitioning from foster care to become successful, independent adults and break the generational cycle of trauma and disadvantage. The Young Warrior Woman Program is evidence-based and developed specifically for vulnerable young women leaving care to cover all facets of life required to become independent – financial literacy, educational attainment, employability, mental health, sexual health, wellbeing and confidence.
Requested Amount: $50,000 from a total project cost of $149,970
100 Women funds have been requested to cover the costs of a Project Coordinator, workshops and presenters and mentor training and support.
Who is the organisation and what is their mission?
The Warrior Woman Foundation aims to ensure that every Australian woman can achieve financial independence and reach their full potential. It does this by providing education, peer support and mentoring for: financial literacy, money management, employment, further education, healthy relationships, housing, mental health and wellbeing including sexual health.
What is the project that the 100 Women grant will support?
100 Women funding will support 30 young women from Western Sydney to participate in the Young Warrior Woman Program (TYWWP). It is a specialised program to support young women transition from foster care and become successful, independent adults who can sustain employment, education and housing, and maintain healthy relationships. The Program utilises evidence-based partner courses and workshops, peer support, group mentoring and one-to-one mentoring from trained, professional and financially secure women who volunteer their time. Content covers all facets of life required to become independent – financial literacy, educational attainment, employability, mental health, sexual health, wellbeing and confidence.
TYWWP has been running since 2020 and in 2023 all 60 participants in the Western Sydney program graduated with evaluation determining increases in all outcome measures.
Who is the project for? Who else will benefit?
The direct beneficiaries are the 30 young women leaving foster care. Another 30 mentees report significant learnings from being involved with the Program and are indirect beneficiaries.
Why is the project needed?
Women and girls leaving foster care are among the most vulnerable groups in the Australian community. They leave out-of-home-care without any financial security or emotional support on, or before, their 21st birthday. Research shows that within 12 months of leaving care, 50% of women and girls end up unemployed, in jail, homeless and/or become a young parent.
These young mums are 10x more likely to have their own child removed, perpetuating the generational cycle of trauma and disadvantage. This project aims to stop this ‘revolving door’ of care to ensure a brighter, more sustainable future for women and girls currently leaving care, and for future generations. The Young Warrior Woman Program bridges the gap between leaving care and a successful transition to adulthood to ensure that vulnerable women and girls have the skills, knowledge and confidence to become successful, independent adults.
What are the planned outcomes for the project?
Specific outcomes for the young women who participate in TYWWP include:
- increased financial literacy and money management skills
- increased employability and self-efficacy
- increased engagement in education or training
- increased safety and security of housing
- increased confidence and self-esteem
- increased knowledge of healthy lifestyle choices, physical and mental health
- increased networks and healthy relationships
- increased ability to set and achieve goals.
