Mack

A nonprofit agency is planning to reopen a residential program preparing Ventura County foster youths for living on their own as adults.

Assuming state licensing officials give the OK, the program would replace one in Thousand Oaks that the Interface agency closed in September for fiscal reasons after 10 years of operation.

Aspiranet, the agency sponsoring the program, plans to tap into additional sources of support to ensure success. The nonprofit has joined with Ventura College football coach Jon Mack to build community support.

Mack, known for his winning record as the head coach at St. Bonaventure High School, will be speaking about the program Friday during the Fourth of July street fair in Ventura. He is scheduled to appear from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the courtyard by the Ventura Improv Co., off the corner of Main and Palm streets.

Mack and other adults plan to be mentors to the youths.

"I hope to improve the success rate," the coach said this week. "I'd like to see the kids continue in college, become productive members of society."

Every year in Ventura County, 50 youths leave foster care at 18. That's when the law says they must support themselves.

Many cannot find affordable places to live and are at high risk for homelessness, mental illness and drug problems. They often return to the troubled homes from which they were removed.

Mack became involved in the project after Aspiranet board member Art Chaparro asked for his help. While at St. Bonaventure, Mack coached Chaparro's son David, who was a 7-year-old foster child when the family adopted him. Chaparro said he was impressed with Mack's commitment.

"No one understands what he does behind the scenes," Chaparro said. "He is a way better person than he is a coach."

Chaparro said his son got in a fight at school after another student teased him about being a foster child.

"The very next morning, coach Mack came by the house, and he told my son, I'm adopted too,'" said Chaparro, who is president of the statewide board of Aspiranet.

David Chaparro, now 28, said Mack has a great ability to connect with youth.

"His energy allows him to instantly break down barriers," the younger Chaparro said.

Aspiranet officials hope to reopen the program, probably at a site in Oxnard or Ventura within the next several months. Six foster teens from age 16 to 18 would live there with a counselor while preparing for independent adult life.

Kris Bennett, who oversees Aspiranet's services in Ventura County, said the transitional program will teach both the basics and the finer points of adulthood. The youths would learn not only how to pay bills and buy groceries, but also to hold down jobs and perhaps buy their first cars, she said.

She hopes community members will contribute furnishings for the apartments, from sheets and blankets to used computers.

The county Human Services Agency offers classes to prepare foster youths for adulthood, but the residential program would fill a different niche.

"They are learning not just from the textbook to buy groceries, prepare meals, access local transportation," said Judy Webber, who oversees children's services in the county Human Services Agency.

To become involved in the program, call Aspiranet at 289-0120.