Building Better Futures Together
" Personal growth is generally intentional and self-directed. It refers to steps taken or techniques used to improve oneself, whether that’s through building healthy habits, learning important skills, or gaining self-awareness."
By Dayna Winter (2022)
Our Story
Ray's Place is a memorial project dedicated to Raymond Fletcher, a young, autistic African-American man who tragically passed away. In his honor, Ray's Place provides a safe haven for teens to thrive beyond aging out of foster care, offering housing, financial training, and resources for a successful future.
Building a home called Ray's Place, creates a safe haven and an opportunity for teens to live and thrive pass the aging out stage. There is a huge need within our community to assist our youth find housing, financial training, basic living skills, and help locate resources where they find their own way in the world and continue growing in a safe and stable environment.
Our Mission
Our mission is to reduce youth homelessness by providing a nurturing and supportive home for teens and young adults who are aging out of foster care, empowering them with the tools and resources necessary to transition into independent and successful lives.
We are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment promoting personal growth, financial literacy, education, employment opportunities, spiritual and emotional well being development, and dream building. Relationships with other organizations with similar goals will be developed to support these efforts. We are focused on bridging the gap between struggling youth and successful adults living within and serving their community.
Better
Together
Follow Our Journey of Impact and Inspiration #bettertogether
Testimonial
August 16, 2023
To Whom it May Concern,
I’m extremely delighted to talk about my experience with Karen Fletcher as my Foster Mother. I went to live with her when I was 16 years old, a very difficult teen I might add. She was exceptionally patient with me and I’ll be forever grateful to her for that. I learned many things being with her, first and foremost was that there were still good people in this world.
As a lost teen at that time I thought no one had their best interest for me. It took some time to adjust but she’s a natural at making you feel comfortable, making you feel wanted and conversations were always fun! I definitely felt like I could talk to her about anything. She made me feel like I was really family to her and that meant so much since I had lost mine.
I got to know her and learned she’d earn numerous degrees and I admired her so much for it. I didn’t think college was for me but she always said “you can do anything”. She’d pick me up from school and drive me to night school so that I wouldn’t fall behind and graduate on time. I not only graduated on time but I graduated high school 6 months early.
I went on to the military and we’ve kept in touch ever since and still to this day see each other when time permits. I’d say I’m one of the lucky ones I had an incredible Forster parent who actually cares for the kids she takes in. You can’t find someone better then Karen Fletcher!
I credit her for the trajectory of where my life went. She was an enormous influence for me of what I wanted to achieve having seen a successful woman with an education and a career. I had an incredible career with the military and now currently work for the government and just a few months from graduating with my Masters Degree as well.
I highly recommend Karen Fletcher to continue fostering.
Priscilla Collins