How do I know what I’m good at? How do I get, and keep, a job? How do I manage my stress?

If you or someone you know is a youth in foster care asking yourself these and other questions about what the future might hold, come join in the first annual Level UP Leadership Summit for guidance, inspiration and empowerment.

This free Level UP day-long workshop offers an opportunity for teens and young adults ages 14-21 who are impacted by foster care to come together, along with former foster youth, Adoption Rhode Island professionals, and caring community members to learn, grow, and “level up.”

Level UP will be held at Rhode Island College’s Gage Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Aug. 14. The day will include a series of workshops in which foster youth will be encouraged to recognize their strengths and how to use them to become a leader of their own future.

Topics designed to inspire attendees include how to get the most out of high school; how to find a job or head for college survive college; how to make it on their own in the real world; and other related life skills.

There will also be a resource fair with representatives from colleges, trade schools, employers, training and education programs, arts and after school programs and other community resources.

Special guest speakers will include adult foster care alumni who will relate personal experiences and inspire youth attendees to overcome the challenges of childhood foster and create successful futures. A special Level UP Photo Gallery will also be on display, demonstrating the determination and resiliency of former foster youth who have found success in adulthood.

Guests are asked to pre-register at levelupri.org. Teens under 18 can attend the day without an adult but must have a signed permission release to do so.

To learn more about this dynamic program and how it can benefit a foster youth, visit levelupri.org or call Adoption RI at 865-6000.