Found Village tells City Council its long-term relationship model helps youth exit foster and justice systems

Found Village told the Cincinnati Climate, Environment and Infrastructure Committee that its long-term, relationship-driven model helps youth involved in foster care and the juvenile justice system build stability and self‑sufficiency.

The presentation, delivered to the committee by Katie Inzekwu and Tamara Thompson, outlined the nonprofit’s model, recent outcomes and partnerships and asked the city for continued and expanded support, including help finding a youth center to increase capacity.

Why it matters: Committee members were shown outcomes the presenters said link sustained adult relationships to improved school attendance, employment and reduced interactions with the justice system. Found Village’s leaders said those results support preventive investment in youth services rather than short-term crisis spending.

Katie Inzekwu, co‑founder and co‑executive director of Found Village, said the organization stays with young people long term "up until their mid‑twenties" to support transitions to independence. Tamara Thompson, introduced in the committee agenda as Found Village’s content strategist and the organization’s public presenter, said the group serves many youth who are "multi‑system involved" and that the program’s core is long‑term relationship building.

Thompson summarized participant survey results the group provided to the committee, saying 92% of respondents reported they receive needed support at Found Village, 97% rated the coaching and…