Keli May Foundation

Due to the epidemic of at-risk young adults exiting the foster care system who have limited to no direction, support or stability, The Keli May Foundation's goal is to be the "Roots" to develop the possibility of a brighter future by providing support and equipping these young adults with life skills and a connection through community, love and support.

The Keli May Foundation is currently in a fundraising campaign that is two-fold: (1) to raise funds to provide services to AT LEAST 200 individuals per year, and (2) to raise building funds for the creation of the Keli May Center, which will be located in the Town of Queen Creek, Arizona. The foundation currently has an established budget that addresses providing services for the minimum 200 individuals (i.e. hygiene kits, food bags, clothing, transportation, etc.), whereas all funds received above the total revenue amount will go directly toward the building fund. These funds will be kept in two separate accounts, where one is meant to be used throughout the year (for operating costs, fundraising events, providing services), while the second account will be used for the building fund and site requirements.

The Keli May Center will be a support center within a community, to include the following: group-home style housing (in multiple structures), a community center (open environment, learning labs, recreation, indoor rest areas), outdoor breakout spaces, a healing garden and a livable / walkable site that encourages learning and sustainability. The focus will be the high functioning children that are aging out of the foster care system (16-21 years of age). In conversations with the State of Arizona's Department of Children Services, there is a lack of facilities that provide services for this age group, as well as children with special needs (i.e. hearing impairments and other medical needs). The foundation's intent is to bridge the needed gap between foster-care and helping to create self-sufficient young adults. With the help of professional and licensed volunteers in their respective fields, the Keli May Center will be the conduit for educational assistance, counseling, therapy, financial education, helping to order and receive their basic documentation (driver's license, state ID's, birth certificates, social security cards) and transport to job training at local businesses and to public transportation hubs.

The goal of the Keli May Center, with the support of volunteers and mentors that have the heart to walk along side these young adults, is to provide the consistent support these individuals do not currently have. We plan to be different by helping be that intentional vested entity and become rooted to them, by not speaking at them. By doing so, our future innovators and creators will be developed!