Soaring Beyond for Children in Out-of-Home Care

At Agape Children’s Home, care is never only about providing children with a safe place to stay. For many teenagers in out-of-home care, one of the biggest questions is: what happens next?

When a child reaches adulthood or is deemed ready to leave care, they must begin navigating life independently. For youth with limited family support or unstable home environments, that transition can be overwhelming. That’s why helping teenagers discover their strengths, build practical skills, and develop a clear sense of direction before leaving care is such an important part of the work at Agape Children’s Home.

This year, two graduating seniors—Xiao Jie and Lynn—are preparing for that next chapter in very different, but equally inspiring ways.

Xiao Jie’s Path Through Professional Certification

Xiao Jie discovered her passion through baking. Since coming to the children’s home, she has often volunteered to help make cookies and desserts. As her interest grew, she chose to study culinary arts at a vocational high school and worked hard to earn multiple Level C culinary certifications. She also participated in community showcase events, where she sold handmade baked goods and shared the fruits of her learning with others.

In her final year of high school, Xiao Jie decided to push herself further by enrolling in a Level B baking certification training program to strengthen her future education and employment opportunities. The training was intense, and the long hours and repeated assessments brought on emotional pressure that sometimes strained her relationships with caregivers. But with continued encouragement from social workers and residential staff, she persevered.

By the end of the program, Xiao Jie successfully earned three Level B baking certifications. Opening more pathways for both higher education and future employment after leaving care.

Lynn’s Road to NTU

Lynn’s journey took a different path. Known for her self-discipline and quick thinking, she consistently performed well academically and actively explored a wide range of interests, including guitar, piano, cajón, and computer programming. Her steady dedication also earned her many recognitions from teachers throughout the years.

Encouraged by her teachers, Lynn applied to the College of Engineering at National Taiwan University through a special admissions pathway designed for students with disadvantaged backgrounds. Last Christmas, she received the exciting news that she had been accepted.

The news was not only of great encouragement to Lynn but also deeply meaningful for the staff, counselors, and teachers who had accompanied her over the years. The achievement itself was remarkable, but what made it even more moving was what it represented: the confidence, stability, and direction Lynn had built for her future.

The key to a better future

Xiao Jie and Lynn’s stories reflect an important belief at Agape Children’s Home: education and skill-building can become powerful tools for changing the direction of a young person’s life.

But behind every certificate, acceptance letter, and milestone is something less visible—years of steady support, guidance, and encouragement from adults walking alongside them.

As young people continue to enter and leave care at different stages of their journey, the support remains critical. With the right opportunities and consistent accompaniment, young people leaving care can step into adulthood with practical skills, hope, confidence, and a vision for their future.

Give today and support Agape Children’s Home and help more youth build a path toward independence.

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