Our Work
Turning Stability Into Legacy Through Prevention, Protection, and Preparation
We exist to reduce risk, interrupt harmful pathways, and prepare foster youth for stable, independent futures.
Our work addresses well documented realities facing youth in foster care, including elevated risk of homelessness, human trafficking, and justice system involvement. At The Alchemy Legacy Group, impact is measured by outcomes.
The Reality Foster Youth Face
In the United States, more than 328,000 children and youth are currently in foster care at any given time. Many enter care due to abuse, neglect, or household instability and experience multiple placements during their time in the system.
1
Homelessness
Youth who experience placement instability are significantly more vulnerable to long term harm.
Research shows that approximately 36 percent of youth who age out of foster care experience homelessness after exiting the system.
Homelessness is not only a housing issue. It is one of the strongest predictors of exploitation, incarceration, and continued system involvement.
Source National Youth in Transition Database NYTD and multiple longitudinal studies summarized by the Children’s Bureau
2
Human Trafficking and Exploitation Risk
Youth in foster care are disproportionately vulnerable to human trafficking, particularly those who experience placement disruptions or run away from care.Federal research indicates that a history of foster care involvement is a significant risk factor for commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking. A national survey of youth currently and formerly in foster care found that approximately 40 percent of respondents reported direct experiences with human trafficking before the age of 18, with the majority of exploitation occurring while youth were in foster care placements. Additionally, studies show that one in five runaway or homeless youth experiences some form of human trafficking, including sex or labor trafficking.
3
Justice System Involvement and Criminalization
Youth involved in foster care are far more likely to experience justice system involvement, often due to survival based behaviors rather than violent crime.
Research consistently demonstrates that youth who lack stable housing, adult supervision, and emotional regulation skills are more likely to be arrested for low level offenses, status offenses, or violations tied to unmet needs.
Former foster youth are overrepresented in juvenile and adult correctional systems, particularly those who aged out without permanency or support.
Our Approach: Reducing Risk Through Stability and Skill Building
Alchemy Legacy Group provides a therapeutic, structured residential environment intentionally designed to reduce exposure to the conditions that lead to exploitation, incarceration, and chronic instability.
Our impact model centers on four pillars.
01
Stability
We provide consistent placement, supervision, and routine within a safe residential environment.
Why it matters
Placement instability is one of the strongest predictors of trafficking vulnerability, justice involvement, and runaway behavior.
Impact
Reduced placement disruptions
Increased emotional safety and trust
Lower likelihood of youth going missing
Reduced exposure to predatory influences
02
Trauma Informed Support
We respond to trauma with understanding rather than punishment.
Why it matters
Unaddressed trauma increases emotional dysregulation and risk taking behaviors that often lead to criminalization or exploitation.
Impact
Improved emotional regulation
Reduced crisis incidents
Healthier coping strategies
Decreased reliance on punitive discipline
03
We proactively address trafficking risk through supervision, education, and relationship based care.
Impact:
Consistent adult presence and monitoring
Education on healthy relationships and personal boundaries
Early identification of grooming behaviors
Reduced vulnerability to manipulation and coercion
By meeting basic needs and teaching youth how to recognize unsafe situations, we reduce exposure to trafficking pathways.
04
Life Skills and Justice Prevention
We intentionally prepare youth for adulthood through practical and emotional skill building.
Youth receive instruction in
Emotional regulation and conflict resolution
Decision making and accountability
Financial literacy and household management
Time management and responsibility
Education and workforce readiness
Impact:
Reduced behavioral incidents
Lower likelihood of justice system involvement
Increased readiness for independent living
Improved long term stability
System Level
Impact
Impact Beyond the Individual
By providing a high quality residential option, we support
Reduced strain on emergency placements and shelters
Improved placement stability for caseworkers
Reduced downstream costs related to incarceration, homelessness, and crisis intervention
Community Impact
Breaking cycles of exploitation and incarceration
Developing stable, contributing adults
Strengthening local communities and economies
Reducing long term public system costs
Legacy Is the Outcome
Legacy is built when youth leave care with stability, confidence, emotional competence, and practical life skills.
Individual
impact
For the young people we serve, preparation means more than completing a program or meeting compliance benchmarks. It means leaving with emotional stability, practical life skills, and the confidence to make safe, informed decisions. It means understanding healthy relationships, managing conflict without escalation, and navigating adulthood with support rather than survival instincts.
Most importantly, they leave with a sense of belonging and self worth
.
Commitment
Alchemy Legacy Group is committed to accountability, transparency, prevention, and data informed decision making. We center dignity, safety, and long term outcomes in all we do.
We do not claim to fix the foster care system.
We commit to doing our part with excellence and integrity.
Sources and Annotations
Administration for Children and Families Children’s Bureau AFCARS data
ACF Office of Planning Research and Evaluation Survey of Youth in Foster Care at Risk of Human Trafficking
National Youth in Transition Database NYTD
National Network for Youth Human Trafficking and Homeless Youth Reports
Annie E Casey Foundation Crossover Youth Research
US Department of Justice Child Welfare and Trafficking Prevention Guidance