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Opportunity Passport(R)

Young adults aging out of foster care face staggering odds when it comes to homelessness, unemployment and incarceration. Up to 36% of young adults experience homelessness, up to 69% are unemployed and/or do not have consistent employment and approximately 25% have become involved with the criminal justice system. Without the support of a stable family or financial foundation, they are far more likely to become statistics rather than success stories. Opportunity Passport exists to change that trajectory. It is a powerful, life-changing program designed to meet a critical need: financial stability for young adults transitioning out of foster care.

A nationally recognized program created by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Opportunity Passport(R) bridges gps through a proven model that combines financial education, individualized coaching and matched savings, all aimed at helping participants build assets, improve credit, and achieve long-term independence. OP doesn’t just teach financial skills, it gives participants the confidence and capital to invest in their goals and take control of their futures.

61% opened a bank account

82% saved at least $500

72% improved credit score

Over $450,000 in assets purchased

This course, created by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, is tailored specifically for young adults who have experienced foster care. Participants learn practical skills like earning money, budgeting, saving, and managing debt. Each person also receives one-on-one support throughout the course to help apply what they’re learning—whether it’s setting SMART goals, building a budget, or checking their credit report. After finishing the course, every participant earns a $200 stipend to help kickstart their savings.

After graduating from financial literacy training, participants connect monthly with a volunteer who has financial experience and is trained in coaching. This individualized support has had a huge impact on our Opportunity Passport™ graduates as they use what they’ve learned in financial literacy training to successfully reach their financial goals.
Thanks to the support of United Way Suncoast and other partners, graduates of the program can match dollar-for-dollar up to $3,000 to purchase qualifying assets that will promote their financial capability. By purchasing cars, putting down payments on housing, building credit, and investing in small businesses, our graduates have become more independent, stable, and financially capable.
Quick Reference Financial Guide
Asset Match Documentation Checklist

More Opportunities for OP Grads!

Buying a Car Class

Opportunity Passport graduates can avoid the pitfalls of buying a new or used vehicle with this one-night, online class that covers budgeting, financing, talking to a dealer, examining a used car and more. By applying what they’ve learned, participants earn an additional $500 match to purchase a car.

Renting an Apartment

This one-night online course covers budgeting, rental scams, housing discrimination, leases, tenant/landlord responsibilities and more. Participants are eligible for an additional match of $1,000 to help pay for the security deposit and first month’s rent on a new apartment.

Are you interested in joining Opportunity Passport?

Contact Jeanne Joyner at jjoyner@suncoastvoices.org or call or text at 727-254-9608 to register for the next session.