When youth age out of CPS, here’s help

The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a milestone usually celebrated with excitement, but for young people in the foster care system, it’s often a moment of dread. 

Every year, thousands of youth “age out” of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) system, suddenly finding themselves without the legal or financial safety net that formerly provided for their basic needs.

The statistics are sobering. Young people aging out of foster care face a disproportionate risk of homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration. Without a permanent family structure or a stable place to call home, the simple act of “becoming an adult” becomes a harrowing struggle for survival. In Texas, 69% of older Black youth are likely to age out of care without a permanent home, compared to 63% of older white youth. 

However, in Houston and across Texas, a growing network of organizations and visionary leaders is stepping into the gap. These entities seek to help young people make a safe transition into adulthood, ensuring they are not just surviving but are equipped for long-term success.

Aging out

When a youth in foster care turns 18, they are technically no longer under state custody. For many, this means losing 24/7 care overnight. In Houston and Harris County, the reality of this “cliff” is stark. According to data from the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project, without immediate intervention, many former foster youth struggle to secure stable housing or complete their education.

“Before we started, it was understood that, okay, at 18, they’re technically aged out and technically on the street. And it’s sink or swim,” says Hu Sani Sallah, a Houston native who now works to support these youth. “At that point, it’s ‘Okay, you’re an adult, you can proceed with how you want.’ We know that we’re saving a lot of people from the streets.”

The challenges go beyond just a roof over their heads. These young adults often lack the social capital—the “who you know” and the emotional support—that peers in traditional families take for granted. This lack of a safety net makes any minor setback, like a car breakdown or a medical bill, a potential catalyst for a downward spiral.

What is Journey HTX?

Recognizing this crisis, Bethel Church United Church of Christ (UCC) launched an innovative solution: Journey HTX. Located near Sunnyside on a sprawling 10-acre property at 3219 Almeda Genoa Rd., Journey HTX is a specialized independent living facility designed specifically for formerly fostered youth.

The visionary behind the project is Rev. Dr. Vanessa Monroe, a preacher, teacher, and attorney who is a Houston transplant by way of Chicago. With a background that includes a Juris Doctorate and a Master of Divinity, Monroe has spent decades demanding that “faith and justice be constantly held in tension.” Her research into ancestral and contemporary practices of thriving informed the organization’s values-driven model.

Journey HTX operates as a CPS-approved house where youth can stay from age 18 to 22.

“They’re able to come here… in order to get their lives right financially, get their education finished,” explained Sallah.

The facility has a capacity for 35 residents and offers a starkly different environment than the institutional settings many are used to.

“They have beautiful rooms. The facilities are just very nice,” Sallah noted. “Imagine coming from not so comfortable an environment and then coming to somewhere where everyone’s trying to improve your quality of life… they’re able to spiritually relax and mentally collect themselves.”

Sallah’s entry to Journey HTX

Sallah’s journey to becoming the operations manager of Bethel Church and a key figure at Journey HTX is a story of serendipity and skill. A graduate of Evan E. Worthing High School and a South Park native, Sallah grew up just minutes from the church.

Inspired by his father’s building legacy and the fact that Jesus was a carpenter, Sallah became an expert in building, plumbing, and permaculture design. His skills caught Monroe’s eye, and after completing several jobs for the church, he was hired on staff. Sallah now uses his philosophy of personal self-reliance to mentor residents. He believes that the ability to build—whether it’s a physical home or a business—is the key to independence.

Impact of holistic support

The support at Journey HTX extends far beyond four walls. Case manager Secunda Joseph is a critical component of the program. Originally introduced to the youth as a yoga instructor to help them self-regulate, she now serves as their primary advocate.

“When you are 18, you’re literally kicked out. You can be in high school… but on the day of your birthday, people come here with their bags, and they’re told this is their home,” Joseph said. “I welcome them here… I’m really a partner to them as they navigate being a young adult.”

The stability provided by the gated, secure community allows residents to focus on their future rather than their immediate survival. Sallah notes that while some youth choose to “go out into the world” and leave the program, those who stay realize they have landed in a life-changing environment.

Garden-to-farm

One of the most unique aspects of Journey HTX is the Bradford Community Garden. The garden is built on permaculture principles, where nothing is wasted, and serves as both a classroom and a kitchen.

Journey HTX employs paid workforce interns who handle property maintenance and urban gardening.

“We’re able to show them that, hey, there’s a market in this,” said Sallah. “Not only do we feed ourselves and improve our nutrition, but we’re able to make a living.”

The garden also bridges the gap between the residents and the wider South Union community. Every second and fourth Saturday, the church hosts “Farm to Table Saturdays,” where community members gather to harvest, cook, and eat together. This fosters a sense of belonging and community that many foster youth have rarely experienced.

Help navigating life

While Journey HTX provides a localized “hub” for transformation, there are several state and county-wide resources available to Texas youth:

• Voluntary Extended Care: Youth can stay in Extended Foster Care until 21 if they are working or in school.
• Supervised Independent Living (SIL): A less restrictive option where young adults live in apartments or dorms with caseworker support.
• The HAY (Houston Alumni & Youth) Center empowers youth ages 14-25 through life skills training and employment opportunities.
• Harris County Resources for Children and Adults: Provides a “Foster Care Center of Excellence” clinic that offers medical, dental, and mental health care exclusively for foster children.

For those facing legal hurdles, the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project provides free legal help.

“We help people understand their rights, access benefits, and overcome certain barriers that may keep them from supporting themselves,” the organization states.

Ultimate goal

The mission of Journey HTX is not just to provide a temporary landing pad, but to fundamentally alter the expectations these young people have for their lives.

“The ultimate goal of Journey HTX is to change the standard,” Sallah concluded. “We won’t accept just leaving people to the wayside, letting them fall and not be picked up. Journey HTX intends to change the quality of life for a group of people who really need it.”