Changing Lives
Beyond Foster Care
RFL is a solution-based skill center supporting former foster care youth in homelessness prevention, education and employment, and lifeline support networks. RFL offers a unique Educational Learning Lab program; a Mental Health Counselor; legal services provided through the Community Law Program, supported by the St. Petersburg Bar Association; Mentor Program; Youth Council; Mommy & Me; Keys to Independence; Child Abuse Prevention; and more.
RFL is a family environment where young people find basic needs like food and meal kits; personal and hygiene supplies; caring support; and access to laundry and shower facilities. We understand that until immediate basic needs are met, it is nearly impossible to contemplate the future...and RFL believes that all young people deserve the opportunity for a successful future.
Our Mission
Ready for Life provides the support, resources, and guidance former foster care youth need to successfully transition to adulthood.
Our Vision
Ready for Life assists young adults as they make the challenging transition from foster care to adulthood, preventing homelessness and helping them achieve their goals.
Our Message
We are a family-like community that serves, inspires, and empowers young adults that have transitioned out of foster care to be Ready for Life.
Our Impact
2022-2023 IMPACT REPORT
“Due to her involvement with Mommy & Me, Serena is working to build a wonderful life for herself and her children, and in doing so she is keeping them far away from the childhood she had once experienced—far away from the cycle of foster care.”
View our 2022-2023 Impact Report to read the success stories of former foster youth Damien, Karalynna, and Serena.
Meet the Team
BOARD MEMBERS
Our co-founders were approached about developing a nonprofit that would focus on assisting this population through this transition and thus Ready for Life was created.
David Fischer Gerry Hogan Bud Risser – Co-Founders
ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Yvette Bean
Kenneth Beattie
Scott Clendening
Ben Coughanour
Bob Dillinger
Jennifer Dittman
Mary Pat McLain (chair)
Sally McLane
Crystal Moore
Bud Risser
Kathy Mize, CEO
Jamelle Connor
Provost, St. Petersburg College • Co-Chair RFL Advisory Council
Glenn Gomer
Attorney • Co-Chair RFL Advisory Council
Scott Clendening
Commercial Partners Realty • Immediate Past Chair RFL Advisory Council
Ken Beattie
RFL Chairman of the Board of Directors
Kathy Mize
CEO & One of the Founders of RFL
Michelle Walag
SVP Strategic Planning RFL • Staff Lead RFL Advisory Council
Erika Almond
Tournament Director Suncoast Ladies Classic
Mike Brown
Owner Trunk Bay Designs • President Santa’s Angels
Laura Connelly
GFWC Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs Second Vice President
Kay Dillinger
The Beth Dillinger Foundation
Garreth Hughes
Director, Raymond James
Terry Farner
Founder Suncoast Kingfish Classic
Anne Gottlieb
Owner & Founder of Profiles Placement Services in Baltimore, MD • Mentor RFL • Chair of the RFL Marketing & Communications Committee
Uday LeLe
Serial Entrepreneur
Kelly Mione
Marketing Professional, Retired
Margaret Martin
Re-Design Your Life Coach for Women 50’s, 60’s, 70’s • Martin & Associates
Jeni Mitchell
Retired, Former CEO of Caregivers Network • Founder of the Dr. David Zabrocki Dental Foundation and Program at RFL
Jenn Tran
Chief People & Culture Officer for the Tampa Bay Rays
Bill Weiner
Chief People & Community Officer for the Tampa Bay Rays
Ben Walker
We're growing!
Join our team
Ready for Life assisted over 219 former foster youth last year, supporting them in crisis, celebrating their successes, and helping stop the cycle of child abuse and foster care. Ready to help? Check out our job listings.
Pasco Programs Manager
Part Time Initial, Potential Full Time
Location: Pasco County, Florida
Compensation: $22/hour starting
Benefits: Cell and Mileage Assistance, PTO, Paid Holidays
Benefits Upon Full Time Employment: Health, Retirement and Life Insurance
Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree or higher, Working Knowledge of Pasco County Services, Excellent Written and Verbal Communication Skills, Software: Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook
Resume & References Required
Contact: Michael Forster, mforster@readyforlifepinellas.org
Youth Specialist
Part Time, Hourly
Location: Pasco County, Florida
Reports to: Pasco County Program Manager
Compensation: $15.50 hourly
Contact: Send Resume to Michael Forster, VP Operations, MForster@readyforlifepinellas.org
Hours: Part time (up to 20 hours a week), hourly, in-person (not remote), position that may require evening and weekend work as requested or at the needs of the clients served.
Purpose of Position: To manage a case load comprised of young people who have spent time in the foster care system. To create relationships with local group homes to raise awareness of Ready for Life and Ready for Life programs. To assist youth on a day-to-day basis with life skills development and crisis management.
Qualifications
- Lived in and experienced the foster care system. - Ability to cultivate relationships and serve as a role model to youth who have lived through similar experiences. - Well-versed knowledge of Pasco County resources and programs that assist young people ages 15-25 years old. - Ability to work in a team environment and independently as needed. - Proficiency in computer use, specifically Microsoft Office products. - Driver’s License required. - This is a granted position which requires that the employee be between the ages of 15-24 years old. Monthly and Yearly Event Planning and Youth Recruitment: - The Annual Truly Amazing Resource Race - Mentor Match Events - After Hours Youth Programing - Open Office Friday- Activity Management and Scheduling Resource Presentations - Back to School Drive - Summer Pool Party - Tours of Ready for Life facility with Youth Speakers - Annual Thanksgiving Feast - Annual Christmas Gift Giving - Opportunity Passport - Group home visits to recruit for events and spread awareness of Ready for Life services. Daily Responsibilities (On-site and in the Field): - Daily Case Management to include providing life skills education and referring to appropriate community resources. - Participation in community groups and committees. Participation in after-hours youth run programs and clubs. - Tracking usage and data entry. - Assisting with upkeep of on-site services and supplies. - Additional Duties Public Speaking Engagements and Presentations - Monthly Data Reporting on Youth Services - Identifying new youth needs and assisting in the creation of new programs to fill the need. - Fundraising Events throughout the year