Independent Living services are provided to youth who have entered the Foster Care system after their 16th birthday.  It’s a voluntary program and provides support and resources in employment, education, and housing.  Cray serves as a support for youth as they age and can’t or don’t have the traditional home life to support and guide their decision-making.  When asked recently, one of our IL Youth shared this reflection:

I am a former “crayon” and I can’t tell you how much cray youth and family services has helped me in my childhood years as well as my adult years! I was in the Cray houses for 4 years and in the independent living houses for 2. Cray and all the cray staff more then helped me prepare for all of life’s ups and downs! They helped me finish high school 5th in my class and got me into my dream college Penn State. I am now a thriving, independent, and strong young adult! None of which would be possible without the unconditional sometimes annoying love of the amazing cray employees. I know in any situation I come across, all of my cray FAMILY would go above and beyond to make sure I was taken care of. Growing up with the life I had previously, I can’t tell you how important it is to have that stability. I will forever be a “CRAYON”!