First Lady Melania Trump has championed a significant new White House initiative designed to dramatically improve career and educational prospects for children within the American foster care system.
A Strategic and Empathetic Initiative
Speaking from the East Room on Thursday, 13th November 2025, Mrs Trump outlined the programme, which she described as "both empathetic and strategic." The event was attended by lawmakers, Cabinet officials, and members of the foster-care community. Her husband, President Donald Trump, formally established the initiative by signing an executive order, a move he said delighted him.
The centrepiece of the order is the creation of the "Fostering the Future" programme. This ambitious project aims to unite federal entities, non-profit organisations, educational institutions, and crucially, the private sector, to develop tangible opportunities for foster youth.
Key Components and a Call to Action
The executive order mandates several key actions. It will create a dedicated online hub to help foster youth connect with vital career and educational resources. Furthermore, it seeks to increase access to vouchers and grants to support them in their endeavours.
In a powerful challenge to American business leaders, Melania Trump issued a direct call to action. "I call on leadership from these various organizations, including the private sector, to join my effort," she stated, urging them to "rise above the ease of inaction." She expressed tremendous pride in the initiatives laid out in the order.
Building on 'Be Best' and Broader Support
This new programme is an offshoot of her "Be Best" campaign, which was her signature issue during President Trump's first term. The broader "Fostering the Future" initiative began in 2021 and already 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 did not work alone on this project. President Trump noted that the Second Lady, Usha Vance, was deeply involved in the effort. Several federal agencies are also tasked with involvement, including the Departments of Health and Human Services, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, as well as the Office of Personnel Management. Expressing great confidence in the programme's potential, the President concluded, "We're going to have absolutely incredible results."
