EDIFY: Healing Youth in Foster Care Stay Connected, Confident and On Track

EDIFY (Early Development of Informed Foster Youth) is an academic support and mentorship program for youth in foster care in Pre-K through 12th grade across West Virginia. Let’s walk through what EDIFY is, why it matters and how youth can get involved.

Why Academic and Mentorship Support Matters

Academic and mentorship matter because youth in foster care often experience multiple school changes, disrupte learnings and even social challenges. Even resilient youth can struggle without consistent guidance and academic reinforcement.

EDIFY provides early intervention and steady encouragement so youth can strengthen their skills, build confidence and stay engaged in school. By surrounding young people with caring adults and relatable mentors, we help create stability during seasons of transition.

Who EDIFY Serves

EDIFY is designed for youth in foster care in grades Pre-K through 12.

The program is a good fit for youth who:

• Need extra help with reading, homework or school subjects
• Want to improve their grades
• Would benefit from a positive mentor
• Are adjusting to a new school
• Are preparing for middle school, high school or graduation

We work in partnership with caregivers, KVC team members and educators to ensure each young person receives coordinated and individualized support.

What Youth Experience in EDIFY

EDIFY combines structured learning with relationship-based mentorship. Students in EDIFY take part in weekly activities. Participation is required to help youth build steady progress.

Participants engage in:

• Weekly tutoring sessions and guided learning activities
• Group classes focused on academic growth and social development
• Peer mentoring with Success Coaches
• A point-based incentive system that rewards participation and progress
• Ongoing collaboration with caregivers and educators to monitor growth

Points can be exchanged for rewards. We also review each student’s school progress and provide tools to help them improve. This may include reading programs like Newsela or learning platforms such as IXL. This steady support helps youth improve reading skills, strengthen grades and stay on track.

Skills Youth Build Through EDIFY

Through consistent participation, youth strengthen:

Academic Empowerment

Youth receive tutoring and group support to improve grades, reading comprehension and overall performance. They learn how to take ownership of their education.

Life Skills and Self-Advocacy

Youth learn communication skills, goal-setting, basic budgeting and how to make healthy choices. They also learn how to ask for help and understand their rights while in foster care.

Personal Growth

Through group activities, youth discover new interests, explore possible careers and build friendships. They grow socially and emotionally in a safe setting.

The Power of Peer Mentoring

EDIFY is led by Success Coaches, college students who have experienced foster care themselves along with professionals from KVC West Virginia.

These mentors understand the unique challenges youth in foster care may face. They offer guidance, encouragement and real-life examples of success. We also connect youth with educators and tutors who can meet their learning needs.

Research shows that mentoring makes a difference. Students with mentors are less likely to skip school and more likely to take on leadership roles and give back to their communities.

At KVC West Virginia, these outcomes are more than numbers. They are the results we work toward every day.

Real Stories. Real Possibility.

One of EDIFY’s Success Coaches experienced multiple foster care placements yet graduated with a 4.5 GPA and high ACT/SAT scores. Now in college, he helps shape EDIFY so that youth can see what is possible for their own future.

Programs like EDIFY reflect KVC West Virginia’s commitment to helping young people feel connected to caring adults, strong families and healthy communities.

Ready to Learn More?

If you are a youth KVC serves through foster care, or a KVC foster parent or caregiver, we invite you to learn more about EDIFY.

EDIFY is more than school support. It is a chance to gain skills, confidence and direction for the future.

Learn More or Sign Up

Looking for additional academic support programs for older youth in foster care? Visit kvcwv.org/academic-support.

Questions?

For questions about eligibility, referrals or program details, contact:

Contact Walter “Skipp” Swoope at wswoope@kvc.org to learn more and make a referral.