First lady Melania Trump has unveiled a new initiative aimed at improving career and educational opportunities for children raised in foster care.
Her husband, President Donald Trump, signed an executive order Thursday that creates a “Fostering the Future” program that brings together federal entities, nonprofits, educational institutions and the private sector to develop those opportunities for foster youth.
The decision also creates an online hub that can help connect young people to important career and education resources, while increasing access to vouchers and grants to support them in these efforts.
Melania Trump says the initiatives in the executive order “make me immensely proud” and said the effort is “both empathetic and strategic.”
“I call on the leadership of these various organizations, including the private sector, to join my efforts,” Melania Trump said from the East Room to an audience of lawmakers, Cabinet officials and members of the foster care community.
The first lady added, “Rise above the comfort of inaction.”
The broader “Fostering the Future” initiative is an offshoot of the “Be Best” campaign that was her signature theme during Trump’s first term. The initiative began in 2021 and offers scholarships to current and former foster youth. Participating schools include Vanderbilt University, the University of Miami, Villanova University and Oral Roberts University, the first lady’s office said.
Trump, the president, said he was “thrilled” to sign the initiative. He noted that the second lady, Usha Vance, was also deeply involved in Melania Trump’s efforts.
“We will achieve absolutely incredible results,” the president said.
The federal agencies involved include the Departments of Health and Human Services, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, as well as the Office of Personnel Management.
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