No Teen Is Ever Too Old for Family
At Open Arms Youth Initiative, we believe no teenager is ever too old to experience the love, security, and lifelong support of a family.
We advocate for and empower teens in foster care, creating pathways to permanent family connections and preparing every young person for a confident, independent future.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to advocate for and empower teens in foster care by creating opportunities for permanent family connections through adoption while preparing every young person for a successful transition into adulthood. We connect youth with caring mentors, supportive communities, educational opportunities, employment resources, life-skills training, and stable housing so they can build confident, independent, and fulfilling lives.
Whether a teen finds a forever family through adoption or follows a path to independent living, our commitment remains the same: to ensure that every young person leaves foster care with hope, meaningful relationships, and the support they need to thrive.
“We believe every teen deserves to be chosen, every voice deserves to be heard, and every future deserves the opportunity to shine.”
How We Support Teens in Foster Care
Open Arms Youth Initiative surrounds every young person with the resources and relationships they need, whether they are pursuing adoption or building toward independent adulthood. Our work spans six core areas:
Mentorship
Education
Life-Skills Training
Employment Resources
Housing Support
Community
Meet a Teen Looking for Family
Behind our mission is a real young person waiting to be chosen. Profiles like John’s remind us why this work matters and why it cannot wait.
John – Age 17 • Tennessee
John is an extroverted young man who is in search of his forever home. John loves to be outside and is a big fan of sports and working out. One of his favorite things to do is to explore new places. John has previously participated in Boy Scouts. He is creative and enjoys drawing and playing video games. John has a big love of animals, and he hopes to have a pet of his own to care for some day. John is open to all family types, and he would do well with siblings. John is excited to take another step in his adoption journey!
Status: Available • Case #: TN01-102604934 • Last Profile Update: 10/29/25
AdoptUSKids is operated by the Adoption Exchange Association and is made possible by grant number 90CO1133 from the Children’s Bureau. The contents of this website are solely the responsibility of the Adoption Exchange Association and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Children’s Bureau, ACYF, ACF, or HHS.
Every teen deserves to be chosen
Be Part of the Story
Every voice deserves to be heard, and every future deserves the opportunity to shine. Learn how you can get involved or reach out to our team.