Scott and Jacquie Flanagan became aware of the challenges that aged-out foster youth face in their 20’s while serving as youth leaders in the Bay Area. Discovering that one of their youth, Marvin, was going to be homeless two-weeks after his 18th birthday, they stepped into action trying to find programs for aged-out foster youth. Their search did not produce results, so they invited him to live in their one-bedroom apartment. For the next five and a half months, they empowered Marvin to become independent by helping him find a job, while mentoring him in basic life skills and helping him with sustainable employment. After clearing probation and maintaining his job for five months being, they assisted Marvin with budgeting and finding a place to rent. Little did they know that this experience would lead to work that would be started 22 years later. With the help of their friends, Todd and Luann Johnson, Compassion Planet started bringing aged-out foster youth into their one-year mentoring program in the summer of 2013.

Today, this dream is impacting the lives of under-served youth in the South Placer and Sacramento Counties. With thriving social enterprises, corporate sponsors and generous community support, Compassion Planet is able bring up to forty youth, called trainees, into their Mentoring Program in four groups throughout a calendar year. Comprised of aged-out foster youth and youth from at-risk backgrounds (ages 18-24), these groups are empowered by 1,500 to 1,900 hours of Workforce Development Skills, Educational Therapy and Life Skills Training in a one-year program. Upon graduating from the Mentoring Program, youth enter into an Aftercare Program which includes lifelong services. Their stories and journeys are incredible and Compassion Planet is privileged to be a part of the of the lives some amazing youth.