About Us
Change 1 is a nonprofit organization founded to support youths transitioning out of foster care, children and families who experience the Child Welfare and Human & Health Services systems, and people working with them and their communities.
What We Do
We helps foster youth, ages 15-26, realize their full potential by bridging any gaps in equal opportunities for housing, education, medical care, and employment. In doing this, we empower them to make meaningful contributions to their communities and build strong families of their own.
Every Single Year...
• 250,000 children enter the Foster Care system due to abuse and neglect
• 20,000 teens are “emancipated” at age 18
• 40% of those teens experience homelessness within 18 months
With the loss of their safety nets, it is imperative that former foster kids have access to stability through equal housing, medical care, education, and employment opportunities available to them. We never give up on children. It’s our time to make a change...
Change 1 seeks to improve the capacity of youth-led and youth-serving institutions and engage young people, their families, and communities so that youth can reach their full potential.
Meet Our Founder
Cortney Jones is a social worker with over a decade of experience in child welfare and advocacy. But before that, she was an emancipated youth who transitioned through twenty five different homes, shelters, adoptions, and reunifications.
Cortney founded Change 1 with the hopes of using her experiences to ensure the success of youths who are undergoing similar tribulations.
UT Chapter
Change1 has joined forces with the University of Texas at Austin to help students take more part in their community. Students may directly engage in making a change via a multitude of fundraising, volunteering, and community-outreach events and opportunities. If you're a UT student, please consider...
Help Us Do What We Do
Our organization is still here today because of our generous volunteers, partners, and donors. If you're interested in our cause, please consider supporting us by volunteering, donating, or working with us.