Sojourners Care Network is an asset-based youth development organization serving Appalachian Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia.  A nonprofit organization founded early in 1999 by two brothers, Marcus and Richard Games, Sojourners fosters positive development opportunities for children and young adults living in the most distressed counties of Appalachia. 

After six successful years, Sojourners has been involved in deep reflection and strategic planning on the future of the organization. Through this reflection, Sojourners has made a decision to focus its efforts intensively on ensuring that foster care youth successfully transition into adulthood, through implementation of the Age Up Initiative. 
   
The term “age out” is often associated with foster care youth who turn 18 and leave the foster care system.  What is also associated with “aging out” for many young people is homelessness, poverty, and involvement in crime.  Sojourners has seen first hand how young people, if not fully prepared, can return to dire situations after they turn 18.  Sojourners wants to help young people “AGE UP” instead of “out” of foster care.  While a young person may “age out” onto the street, those supported by Sojourners will “age up” into something bigger and better, whether that be a job or college.  We believe that by focusing our mission, vision, values, and programmatic strategies on ensuring the successful transition of foster care youth into adulthood, we can change the lives of these young people forever.