PHX Reporter

Students transitioning out of foster care in Maricopa County will receive additional support thanks to $150,000 in funding approved by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. This funding will aid HopeTech, a newly established 64-bed residence hall at East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), which provides housing and career technical training for young adults leaving foster care.

Vice Chairman Thomas Galvin, representing District 2 on the Board of Supervisors, emphasized the importance of this investment. “Investing in our young people as they transition out of foster care is an investment in the future of our communities,” he stated. “Workforce training provides them with important, economically viable skills, and the opportunity to build a stable, successful life.”

The county's financial support will be used for furniture and appliances, transportation items to facilitate access to EVIT's campus and appointments, as well as recreational courts and equipment for physical activities.

Dr. Chad Wilson, Superintendent of EVIT, expressed gratitude for the support. “The generous support from Maricopa County is more than a financial gift,” he said. “It provides students with additional resources and support needed to step confidently into adulthood and onto a pathway towards independence and prosperity. We are deeply grateful for this investment into these students' futures.”

HopeTech stands as Arizona's first program integrating housing and support services for foster youth with career training at a Career Technical Education District (CTED) campus. Officials hope it can serve as a model for similar programs statewide and nationwide.

The funding comes from Maricopa County Community Solutions Funding allocated by Vice Chairman Galvin through December 31, 2024. The funding aims to advance strategic goals and provide clear public benefits for residents.

The Maricopa County Human Services Department (HSD) supports community resilience through various programs like early childhood education, housing assistance, career development, crisis rental aid, and services for seniors or disabled adults.

East Valley Institute of Technology offers 50 career training programs to nearly 8,000 students across two campuses in Mesa. In May 2024 alone, over 2,600 students completed their programs at EVIT’s central campus.