Dream Navigator Program to Support Independence of High School Students in Child Welfare Facilities Selected for the 3rd Grant by the 'Roto Children's Dream Fund' for the Second Consecutive Year

The 'Dream Navigator' program, conducted by NPO JAM Network (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Representative: Yoshikazu Murakami), targeting high school students in child welfare facilities for independence support, has been selected as a recipient for the 3rd grant project (expanded枠) of the 2026 Roto Children's Dream Fund. This marks the second consecutive year of selection for the program, following its adoption in the 2025 (2nd general枠) grant.

[Press Release: Roto Children's Dream Fund Decides on 9 Grant Recipients for the 3rd Grant]

Social Significance and Features of the Project Children living in child welfare facilities are required to become independent upon graduating high school, facing society without economic or emotional support from family. Behind the reality that about 70% have experienced abuse and about half leave their jobs within 1.5 years of employment, is not a lack of motivation to work, but rather that the ability to voice 'help me' and express feelings in words has not yet been nurtured.

The 'Dream Navigator' program, in response to these challenges, combines the three pillars of 'verbalization,' 'practice,' and 'role models' over five months. It is a comprehensive program designed not to teach knowledge, but to foster the realization of 'I might be able to do this too.'

First Year's Effects Proven by Numbers: 2025 Results Data From July to October 2025, seven high school students (3 first-years, 4 second-years) from five facilities in the Kanto region participated. All completed their final presentations. In the pre- and post-program 15-item self-evaluations (on a 5-point scale), the following changes were recorded:

▶ Behavioral Changes (from completion survey) 'I became able to present my own opinions in front of everyone' - all 7 participants responded. This was followed by 5 participants reporting 'I became able to talk to strangers proactively' and 4 participants reporting 'I became able to challenge myself without fear of failure.'

Participant Voices (from completion survey) 'I no longer found listening to others' stories painful.' 'Instead of looking at just one possibility, I began to see various possibilities by looking broadly.' 'My anxiety about the future has decreased.' 'I feel like I've changed a lot just by communicating a lot. So, it's important to talk to people without fearing failure.'

Facility Staff Voices 'A student who was worried about going to Tokyo Station gained confidence over the sessions and was able to travel alone by train. They changed to actively wanting to 'go to events alone.' 'Every time the student came back and excitedly told us their thoughts, we staff members also became happy. What the student gained from this Dream Navigator program will surely be a treasure for their future life.' 'One student aiming to be a chef, after trying to make pizza, gained the conviction 'This is what I'll do.' They proactively went to preview a vocational school on their own by train and decided to pursue their challenge while living in a dormitory after leaving the facility.'

The facility staff satisfaction survey recorded scores of 4.4/5 for both 'would recommend to participants next year' and 'would recommend to other facilities' (from 5 participating facilities).

Please support us through donations via the Giveone site (eligible for tax deductions etc.). Project: We want children in child welfare facilities to gain 'communication skills that value oneself and others' to carve out their own futures after leaving the facility!

2026: New Challenges - From 'Points' to 'Surface', Deepening the 3-Layer Structure In fiscal year 2026, based on the achievements and challenges of fiscal year 2025, support will evolve into a three-layer structure.

【A】Direct Support for Children (5 months, 6 sessions total) A new 1-night, 2-day hands-on manufacturing experience in Niigata/Tsukuba (in collaboration with Sanctuary Tsuneyoshi Inc.) will be added to provide opportunities to experience careers requiring vocational skills and working in regional areas.

【B】Online Training for Facility Staff (3 sessions total + on-demand video) *Most important new addition this term* By having staff acquire the 'Kotoba Camp®' methodology, an environment will be created where children can be supported daily within the facility even after the program ends. The aim is to achieve a 'surface' level change, extending support to children beyond the program participants.

【C】Employment as Part-Time Workers & Participation as Senior Mentors for 2025 Participants *New addition* A circular model will be established where last year's participants support their juniors as staff. This will also lead to the formation of a mutual support network among individuals from facility backgrounds.

Overview of 2026 Grant Project Activity Name: 'Dream Navigator' Program to Open Futures for High School Students in Child Welfare Facilities Implementation Area: Child welfare facilities in the Kanto region (+ hands-on program in Niigata/Tsukuba area) Project Period: April 2026 - February 2027

About JAM Network Since its establishment in 2003, with the philosophy 'Every child, regardless of their environment, can draw their own future,' JAM Network has provided support to over 160 facilities and 1250 children, and 3750 staff members through its proprietary 'Kotoba Camp®' and other initiatives. We provide continuous support to help children raised under social care to have self-affirmation and live their lives authentically in society. Received the Prime Minister's Award in the 'Children and Families/Youth Support Group Award' in Reiwa 2 (2020).

[Contact Information] NPO JAM Network Address: Naka-ku, Yokohama City, 231-0002 Email: info@jam-network.net URL: https://www.jam-network.net/ Keywords: Child welfare facility, children, communication, self-esteem, career consultant, grant, career, dream, employment, resilience