Interior Designers Institute give home makeovers, raise donations for former foster youth

Orange County design school, Interior Designers Institute (IDI), has teamed up with leading California human services agency Aspiranet for a community service project that is meeting the needs of emancipated foster youth.

Professional interior designers, student designers and the IDI Student Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) are volunteering services to design new living spaces, as well asdonating household essentials to young adults participating in Aspiranet’s Transitional Housing Placement Plus Foster Care Program (THP+ FC), which provides former foster youth age 18-24 a safe living environment.Items the design school is donating includefurniture, bedding, towels, kitchen and bathroom essentials, microwaves, desks, lighting and artwork.

This month, the team of designers will put the finishing touches on an apartment they are making over for two Aspiranet THP+ FCrecipients. Sisters Ashley, 20, and Viridiana, 19, moved in to their apartments last year. They entered foster care when they were ages 16 and 15. Ashley and Viridiana are enrolled at Golden West College and work part-time while raising their children who are both under the age of 1.

Leslie Deladurantey, CID, Allied Member ASID and Director of Admissions at IDI, says, “Several of the design professionals and students working on the home makeovers are past foster parents or parents who have adopted, and CASA volunteers. They share a real passion and awareness of how important it is to support and work with the youth, to help make their house a home.” Kathleen Garito, Allied Member ASID and a professor at IDI, continues, “We want to lend our support doing what we do best to help create a comfortable living environment for these former foster youth as they make their transition into adulthood.”

Aspiranet’s Orange office currently serves 23 former foster youth through its THP programs.

“Unfortunately, there is a lack of awareness for the older foster youth who outgrow the foster care system. Before programs like THP-Plus existed, foster youth without strong supports may become homeless the moment they turned 18,” explains Tracy Rolfe, THP+ Program Manager of Aspiranet’s Orange County office. “We are very grateful to receive these critical donations which help support our youth so they can focus on building their future through career and educational goals.”

To make a donation in support of purchasing household items for Aspiranet THP youth, visit www.aspiranettransitions.org.

About Aspiranet

Aspiranet, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) strengthens children, youth, families and communities through seven core programs including: Foster Care, Adoption, Residential, Transition Age Youth, Behavioral Health, Intensive Home Based Services and Family and Community Services throughout 45 locations within California.

Founded in 1975 as a six-bed group home for young boys in Moss Beach, Calif., Aspiranet is one of the most diverse nonprofit social service agencies in the state. With a statewide network of innovative services, Aspiranet serves more than 10,000 families each year. For more information, please visit www.aspiranet.org.