Our Story
About Us
Generous Heart serves to promote the sustainable independent living and improved economic outcomes of youth formerly involved in foster care through an array of post-foster care resources and barrier relief programs. Youth formerly involved in the state’s child welfare system are considered Generous Heart's primary target population, also known as transition age youth or foster care alumni. A majority of the scope of our work involves providing direct financial relief payments and basic human needs assistance to those who fall within the age range of our target population, 18-29 years old. Generous Heart is governed by a Board of Directors and adheres to all applicable laws and regulations as defined by the RI Nonprofit Corporation Act § 7-6-2.
"As a lived experience leader, I have felt and witnessed firsthand, the complex economic challenges and educational attainment barriers that leave many young adults and older foster care alumni feeling overwhelmed, misguided, and in a constant state of fear. These challenges are only made worse in the lives of those who experience limited social and emotional support, financial insecurities, and/or housing instability; all of which are known to inhibit personal and economic growth and rob former foster youth and adults of their ability to
live out dignified and meaningful lives."
Christian Miller, CEO & Founding President
Mission Statement
We remain committed to generating a stronger safety-net of post-foster care resources and an increase of foster youth and alumni voice at the tables of decision making. To develop sustainable foster-youth centric solutions to alumni-specific barriers and ensure that every youth formerly involved in foster care are well equipped, empowered, and guided into their journey of independence.
Local Vision
To see Rhode Island's foster youth and alumni offered fair and equitable opportunities to thrive. To see the barriers to education and housing removed and an improvement to the outcomes of youth exiting foster care. To increase the voices of lived experience at every youth-centric table across the state.
National Vision
Our national vision is to see that every youth and young adult from foster care in the United States are treated fairly and equitably across every sector of independent life and given access to greater employment, academic, and housing opportunities. To see foster youth and their experiences represented equally to their counterparts. To see that youth from foster care are provided opportunities that support upward mobility, remove generational or systemic hindrances, and promote life-long sustainability.
Our Core Beliefs
I. We believe foster youth and alumni are not defined by their past, but by their tremendous strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
II. We believe in the guidance of trauma-informed principles and that through this lens will follow considerable healing and high-quality service delivery.
III. We believe in the very real presence and subsequent effects of systemic abuse as well as how often it can lead to the intergenerational transmission of trauma and shame. It is in this belief that we strive to maintain an awareness and sensitivity to systemic abuse in real-time as an effort to augment the effectiveness of our trauma-informed approach.
IV. We believe that every person from foster care deserves to have fair and equitable access to housing, education, and employment.
V. We believe that for most, child welfare involvement is a disadvantage particularly for queer identifying and BIPOC youth. The shortcomings of this system are based on practices that are outdated and not corrected for the current socioeconomic needs of youth and/or their families. This leads to lack of support during and after involvement with the child welfare system.
Guiding Principles
Generous Heart recognizes how widespread traumatic experiences are in our present society and how those experiences impact one’s overall health and well-being. It is based on those experiences, that Generous Heart embraces and abides by four trauma-informed principles:
Safety – All interpersonal and environmental settings are physically and psychologically safe.
Trustworthiness and Transparency – Establish trust by maintaining integrity and concise interaction and communication
Empower & Equip – In an effort to recognize, build on and validate individual strengths, we commit to empowering alumni to become confident in their own self-advocacy and ability to both identify and utilize their unique strengths. We commit to equipping alumni with the vital skills and knowledge necessary to achieve individual growth and happiness.
Respect – We recognize that healing happens in relationships where there is meaningful sharing of power and respect. In addition, we value personal autonomy in decision making and determining what is best for oneself.
These principles help us to effectively execute our mission of serving youth formerly involved in foster care alongside a continuum of services meant to help strengthen and promote personal growth and self-efficacy.
