Just in Time for Foster Youth

What Just in Time for Foster Youth does

Just in Time for Foster Youth (JIT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in San Diego, California, that delivers a comprehensive ecosystem of wraparound services to transition-age foster youth aged 18-26 who have spent time in the foster care system. Founded in 2002-2003 by child advocacy attorney Jeanette Day and Diane Cox after delivering holiday gift baskets to young people aging out of foster care, JIT became an independent 501(c)(3) in 2007 and currently employs 11-50 staff, more than half of whom are former foster youth who previously used the organization's services.

JIT's core programs include My First Home (donated furniture and household items for first apartments), College Bound (higher education support), Career Horizons/Pathways to Financial Power (employment coaching), Financial Fitness (financial literacy), Changing Lanes/Drive2Success (driver's license and donated vehicles), Rise to Resilience (trauma-informed wellness) and Mental Wellness Services (free therapy with nine onsite therapists via telehealth, individual, group, and art modalities), My Life My Story (identity development cohorts), and the JIT Network mobile app for online community access. The organization operates a My First Home Distribution Center at 4561 Mission Gorge Place (with a moving truck funded by Las Patronas), a North County Drop-In Center in Vista in partnership with North County Lifeline, and a Mission Valley office for events.

The business model is a donation-and-grant-funded nonprofit: all services are provided free to eligible youth, with revenue drawn from individual donations, foundation and corporate grants (Lucky Duck Foundation, Prebys Foundation, NBCUniversal Project Innovation, Clinton Foundation, The San Diego Foundation), event fundraising (Walk the Talk, Igniting HOPE Festival, Empower Party, Spooktacular), and in-kind contributions of furniture, vehicles, and goods. JIT served approximately 3,000 young people annually, contributed 5,000+ annual volunteer hours, maintained 150+ partner collaborations, and held a 4-star Charity Navigator rating and GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency. In 2025, JIT joined the multi-organizational EPIC (Empowering Positive Impact & Connections) partnership backed by multi-year seed funding from Lucky Duck and Prebys Foundations, supporting a stated 10-year vision to reach 100,000 young people nationwide.

Name

Just in Time for Foster Youth

Legal name

Just in Time for Foster Youth

Website

https://jitfosteryouth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Just in Time for Foster Youth is a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free wraparound services—including housing furnishings, education, employment, transportation, financial literacy, and mental wellness—to transition-age foster youth aged 18-26, leveraging a community-based volunteer model and staff largely composed of former foster youth.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth and Family Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services (BPAGAEAK), Benefits Counseling & Financial Literacy for Transition-Age Youth (EDAKANAJ)

Keywords

• Foster youth services
• Youth transition support
• Housing assistance programs
• Mental wellness therapy
• Community nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: JIT receives donations from individual donors through various giving programs including monthly giving clubs, one-time gifts, and legacy giving. The organization maintains investor and sponsor relationships.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: JIT receives grants from foundations such as Lucky Duck Foundation, Prebys Foundation, NBCUniversal Project Innovation, and others. These multi-year seed funding arrangements support specific collaborative initiatives.
3. Event Fundraising: JIT hosts annual fundraising events including Walk the Talk celebration and other community events that raise funds for services.
4. In-Kind Donations: JIT receives donated furniture, household items, vehicles, and other goods from community members to support My First Home and other programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

JIT provides free, community-based wraparound services to transition-age foster youth (ages 18-26) in San Diego County, including furniture and household furnishings for first apartments (My First Home), higher education coaching (College Bound), employment and professional development (Career Horizons / Pathways to Financial Power), financial literacy coaching (Financial Fitness), transportation and vehicle support (Changing Lanes / Drive2Success), trauma and resilience workshops (Rise to Resilience), free individual and group therapy (Mental Wellness Services), identity-building cohorts (My Life My Story), and an online community platform (JIT Network). Services are delivered through volunteer-supported coaching relationships, partnerships with nonprofits, and in-person/telehealth sessions, funded entirely by individual donations, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and event fundraising.

Product overview

Just in Time for Foster Youth is a nonprofit organization that operates as a multi-service platform rather than a single product. The organization offers an integrated ecosystem of programs designed to help transition-age foster youth (ages 18-26) achieve self-sufficiency and well-being. The core services include: My First Home (furniture and household furnishings for first apartments), College Bound (higher education support), Career Horizons/Pathways to Financial Power (employment services), Financial Fitness (financial literacy), Changing Lanes/Drive2Success (transportation assistance), Rise to Resilience and Mental Wellness Services (mental health support), My Life My Story (personal development cohorts), and the JIT Network (online community mobile app). These services work together as a comprehensive support system addressing housing, education, employment, financial stability, transportation, and mental health needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• My First Home Provides donated furniture, household items, and essential furnishings to help transition-age foster youth turn empty first apartments into comfortable homes; supported by a warehouse-style distribution center and a JIT-owned moving truck. Intended for transition-age foster youth ages 18-26 in San Diego County.
• College Bound Supports foster youth in pursuing higher education through coaching, mentorship, and academic guidance to help them apply to, enroll in, and graduate from college. Intended for transition-age foster youth pursuing post-secondary education.
• Career Horizons / Pathways to Financial Power Employment-focused program helping foster youth achieve meaningful employment through professional development, coaching, networking, and a conference-style event. Intended for transition-age foster youth pursuing career readiness and advancement.
• Financial Fitness Financial literacy program teaching skills including opening bank accounts, budgeting, credit repair, saving, and retirement planning through volunteer coach partnerships. Intended for transition-age foster youth building financial self-sufficiency.
• Changing Lanes / Drive2Success Transportation assistance program helping foster youth obtain driver's licenses and access donated vehicles through the Drive2Success vehicle-donation partnership with Stacy and Chuck DenHerder. Intended for transition-age foster youth needing reliable transportation for independence and employment.
• Rise to Resilience Wellness program helping transition-age foster youth recognize and mitigate the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress through workshops, coaching, and an annual retreat. Intended for transition-age foster youth needing trauma healing and resilience-building.
• Mental Wellness Services Provides free therapy sessions including individual, group, family, couples, and art therapy with nine onsite therapists offering telehealth services to address mental health needs of foster youth regardless of insurance. Intended for transition-age foster youth requiring accessible mental health support.
• My Life, My Story Gender-focused cohort program for youth ages 18-26 engaging participants in self-exploration, personal development, and confidence building through partnerships with coaches and peer workshops. Intended for transition-age foster youth seeking identity development and supportive cohort experience.
• JIT Network (The JIT Network App) Online community platform accessible via mobile app and website that connects foster-youth members to critical resources, peer support, and supportive relationships designed by and for foster youth. Intended for current and former JIT participants to extend engagement beyond in-person services.
• Basic Needs & Emergency Assistance Provides emergency support and basic necessities to foster youth facing critical situations including food assistance during government shutdowns or benefit delays. Intended for transition-age foster youth in immediate need.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 3,000 young people empowered annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kids in the Spotlight (KITS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJIT partnered with KITS to launch a storytelling initiative introducing KITS' 'Script to Screen' model to transition-age foster youth in San Diego. The program gives young people opportunities to explore storytelling, filmmaking, and creative self-expression through hands-on workshops where they develop screenplays and work with professional production crews.
• Drive2Success (Stacy and Chuck DenHerder)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration connects former foster youth ages 18-26 with donated vehicles. Community members donate vehicles which are inspected, repaired if needed, and prepared for handoff. Participants meeting eligibility requirements are matched with vehicles through a supportive process.
• OUR Arts FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three nonprofits benefiting from the 'Banding Community Together' fundraising event on March 3, 2026 at Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach.
• Community Resource CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three nonprofits benefiting from the 'Banding Community Together' fundraising event supporting programs for trauma survivors, families in crisis, and young adults transitioning from foster care.
• Promises2KidscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of EPIC (Empowering Positive Impact & Connections) partnership - a multi-organizational collaboration addressing barriers and exploring root causes of challenges facing young adults impacted by the child welfare system. JIT started as an auxiliary of the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation, now known as Promises2Kids.
• Lifeline Community ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of EPIC partnership - a groundbreaking multi-organizational partnership that proactively shares experiences, expertise, and empowering resources to prevent homelessness, empower employment success, and create reliable connections for young people ages 16 to 28+.
• Home StartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of EPIC partnership providing an interconnected ecosystem of resources and relationships needed for young people to achieve self-sufficient lives.
• Junior AchievementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of EPIC partnership addressing employment success and economic empowerment for young adults impacted by foster care.
• YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of EPIC partnership providing comprehensive support services through YMCA's network for young people transitioning from foster care.
• North County LifelinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to open a North County Drop-In Center at 302 N. Indiana Ave in Vista. The collaboration allows JIT to overcome geographic and transportation barriers for North County youth, expanding reach to an estimated 100 additional young people. North County Lifeline's LifeSpring program provides clinically-based support.
• Pedal AheadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing bicycles to JIT participants as part of transportation support services.
• Jerome's FurnitureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing furniture donations and support for JIT participants moving into their first apartments.
• Solana Beach Presbyterian ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer support for My First Home participant move-ins, helping youth set up their apartments.
• Step Up Foster Youth Mentors at the Rock ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner creating special framed Disney puzzles and other donations for JIT participants.
• DeloitteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner that brought volunteer support to JIT, with teams assisting at My First Home distribution center and other JIT locations.
• Clinton FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Strong Families, Thriving Communities initiative, a three-year project with HHSA and The San Diego Foundation to advance quality of life for children and families in San Diego County.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCoZYOOIwnOTvIWxm0BzWkdw
• Facebookfacebook.com/jitfosteryouth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/just-in-time-for-foster-youth
• Instagraminstagram.com/jitfosteryouth

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Just in Time for Foster Youth