Independent Living Services
Independent Living Services
Western Kentucky University's Training Resource Center strives to offer independent living services to youth in out of home care and those who have aged out of the system. These services include information about resources available to youth in care, those transitioning to independence and those who have aged out of care, opportunities for youth to network with their peers and a chance to advocate for foster youth with out of home care staff, foster/adoptive parents and community partners.
These services include four key program areas: The Voices of the Commonwealth Youth Council, Regional KYRISE events, the annual Youth Empowerment Conference, and the KYRISE Mentor program.
Voices of the Commonwealth Youth Leadership Council (VOC)
The VOC is comprised of Kentucky foster care youth and alumni aged 16-23 and is instrumental in communicating to foster/adoptive parents, out of home care staff and community partners the issues and needs of youth in care and those who have aged out of the system. The group also advocates for change to the child welfare system to lead to more positive outcomes for youth in care.
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Krystal Carver-Dickens |
Ally Holtrey |
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Christina Mangrum |
Cameron Eitel |
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Betsy Echeverria |
Onyx Mangrum |
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Paris Cormier |
Hannah Prewitt |
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Andrew Gomez |
Brianna Moore |
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Aaron Griffin |
Alexus Salamone |
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Regional KYRISE Events
Kentucky Resources for Independence Success and Empowerment (KYRISE) hosts educational and recreational regional events for youth in foster care aged 14-21. Events have included swimming, bowling, skating, movies and more! Information about resources for a successful transition from care to independence is also presented and shared with youth participants by VOC members.
All events are free to youth in foster care and their chaperones.
Upcoming KYRISE Events
- Northeastern - Educational Event - Reno's - Credit Building and Resiliency & Self Care Training - October 3, 2025
- Southern Bluegrass - KYRISE - Main Event - October 30, 2025
- Lakes - Educational Event - The Pour Room - November 15, 2025
Annual Youth Empowerment Conference
An annual empowerment conference is hosted for young people in care throughout Kentuckly to provide opportunities to network with peers, hear from national and local keynote speakers, participate in engaging workshops that teach life skills or provide helpful information, meet and learn more about community partners and organizations, and have a great time with recreational activities.
The Youth Empowerment Conference is FREE for youth in care aged 16-21 and their caregiver.
The 2026 Youth Empowerment Conference is in the works for June 2026. More information to come!
KYRISE Mentor Program
The KYRISE Mentor Program is focused on providing teens in care, aged 14-17 years old, with additional adult supports. Community members aged 21 years and older are required to pass a background check and complete training to understand the needs of a young person in care and how to navigate being a supportive adult. Mentors and mentees are matched based on interests, goals, and location and matches are supervised by our staff.
The KYRISE Mentor Program is currently piloting in the Two Rivers region, serving teens in the counties of Allen, Barren, Butler, Daviess, Edmonson, Hancock, Hart, Henderson, Logan, McLean, Metcalfe, Monroe, Ohio, Simpson, Union, Warren, & Webster, with plans to expand soon.
Interested in mentoring a teen in care? Apply to be a Mentor
Would you like to refer a teen to the program? Refer a Mentee
Visit the VOC site
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.