FLITE Launch Party
Click here for more photos of past events. 

Every year, 120 foster kids in Broward County must leave their foster homes because they’ve turned 18.  While they may be considered legal adults, many of them haven’t fully developed the life skills they’ll need to function successfully in the adult world.

That’s why the Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale created the Fort Lauderdale Independence Training & Education Center.  It was conceived as a resource to connect these young adults with the full range of assistance that’s available in the community. Through the FLITE Center and the community agencies we partner with, teens entering early adulthood will learn the practical skills they need as they set out on their own.  We offer a place for them to bond with others making the same transition.  And we provide essential support as they take on adult responsibilities and begin building their lives as productive members of the community.

FLITE Center Services

The FLITE Center provides a "one-stop shop" where foster youth can access a variety of community resources. At the initial stages of the FLITE Center, the following community services will be available through out-posted positions from various agencies in the community working with this population:

• Life skill training will encompass the following areas: budgeting, credit counseling, meal planning and preparation, healthy relationships, parenting skills as well as other needed skill development workshops.
• Educational services will include links to services available to obtain a high school diploma or GED, assistance in identifying college, post-secondary education options, applications and identifying financial aid sources.
• Employment services will include resume building, interviewing skills, and referrals for  job placement.
• Economic services will also be provided to help teens with obtaining economic  and financial assistance.
• Real connections with caring adults will be offered to the youth through mentors and Life Coaches, who will provide guidance and positive adult behavior to the teens.

Are you interested in getting more involved with this project?

• Donate your time to the FLITE Center.
• Donate office supplies or other items to the FLITE Center or sponsor the grand opening of the FLITE Center through food or monetary donations.
• Make a donation to the Junior League directed towards the FLITE Center.  It will take the support of the entire community, the Junior League and each of you to make the FLITE Center a project that will serve the foster children of Broward County for years to come.

If you are interested in helping the Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale make a difference, please contact us.

Contact Us

Kristen Guerrise, MSW
TIL Resource Director
FLITE Center
Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale
3521 West Broward Blvd., Suite 105
Lauderhill, FL 33312
(954)530-4686 - Office
(561)445-6120 - Cell
til_jlgfl@bellsouth.net

Thank you to our friends in Leadership Broward's Class XXVIII for producing this video on the FLITE center: