About Rooted Together

The Family You Choose

We exist to bridge the gap for youth aging out of foster care, ensuring no one transitions into adulthood without the resources and community needed to succeed.

Mission

Why we exist

Rooted Together provides housing, supportive services, and essential resources to foster youth, creating a lasting sense of family and belonging as they grow, heal, and thrive.

Vision

Where we're headed

A world where every foster youth transitions into adulthood with confidence, stability, and unwavering support, empowered by a nurturing community that feels like home and a future filled with opportunity, purpose, and hope.

A group of joyful young people smiling together, huddled in a circle
Our History

Born from real gaps in real services

Rooted Together was established by the founder of OT2GO Innovation to Elevation Daily Living (I2E Living), an Independent Living Program (ILP) contracted with the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) to provide housing and wraparound services for foster youth ages 18–21.

During the early stages of program implementation, OT2GO I2E Living identified significant gaps in services for youth transitioning out of foster care, including food and clothing insecurity, limited access to transportation, barriers to healthcare and mental health services, and a lack of support for educational and entrepreneurial opportunities.

In response, Rooted Together was created to address these unmet needs. We believe these young adults deserve the same level of support, stability, and opportunity as their peers with strong family systems.

  • Rooted in direct-service experience with foster youth ages 18–21
  • Grew out of an active ILP contracted with Alabama DHR
  • Built specifically to close gaps in food, housing, healthcare & transportation
  • Focused exclusively on youth aging out of the foster care system

Our Belief

No youth should transition into adulthood without the resources and community needed to succeed.

Our Impact So Far

What we've already done

Real accomplishments on the ground, not projections.

Renovation Project

Housing Rehabilitated

Rehabilitated a manufactured home in Tuscaloosa for after-care housing.

Youth Mobility

3 Cars Donated

Donated 3 cars to youth in after-care to support their independence.

Housing Support

Rental Assistance

Provided rental assistance for 5 youth navigating housing instability.

On the Move

Transportation Support

Provided transportation to youth to help them reach work, school, and appointments.

Rapid Response

Crisis Response

Delivered crisis response services when youth needed support most.

Workforce Prep

Employment Readiness

Assisted youth in building the skills and confidence to enter the workforce.

Impact Goals · Year 1–2

Measuring what matters

0Foster Youth Served Annually
0Stable Housing Placements
0Program Retention & Completion
0Employment or Education Placement
Core Values

Community. Collaboration. Growth

Community

We build a nurturing network that feels like family, because every young person deserves one.

Collaboration

We partner with agencies, foundations, and communities to deliver coordinated, wraparound care.

Growth

We invest in each youth's long-term independence, not just a temporary fix.

Want to see how we do it?

Explore our full continuum of care, ten programs built around one goal: a stable, independent future.

Visit I2E Living