In 2023, YouthNPower: Transforming Care launched the first direct cash transfer pilot in the United States created by and for young people who are transitioning out of foster care. Over 12 months, 100 young people living in New York City each received $1,000 in unconditional monthly cash payments, a resource to provide stability and opportunity.
This report shares the pilot’s findings, outlining the transformative potential of unconditional cash to help young people emerge from foster care with a sense of stability and control over their own lives.
Young people reported that the direct cash transfers helped them:
- Move into safer, more stable homes
- Leave unsafe relationships
- Return to school or pursue career training
- Save for emergencies or future goals
Five Key Findings
- Foundation for Stability and Self-Determination:
Nearly all participants (95%) shared that the reliable monthly cash payments gave them a greater sense of freedom, independence and control over their lives.
- Strengthening Pathways to Education and Employment:
The direct cash support helped young pursue and persist in education, return to school after interruptions, and seek job opportunities that match their ambitions.
- Financial Security and Housing Stability:
The cash payments helped young people cover essentials like rent, food and transportation and respond to emergencies without falling into crisis.
- Personal Well-being and Community Connections:
Young people accessed healthcare more consistently and described reduced stress. Many also used the money to care for others, strengthening ties to family and friends.
- Reduced Contact with Punitive Systems:
Participants reported fewer encounters with police and child protective services during the pilot year. This suggests that increases in agency, financial stability and a sense of well-being from direct cash reduces youth contact with systems.
Read the full report.
