PF Changes Inc. Legacy Work

Supporting Foster Youth, Reentry Citizens, and Vulnerable Communities

PF Changes Inc. is a Texas-based nonprofit organization that focuses on empowering young adults through charitable and educational programs. It exists because far too often, young people are expected to become adults without the life skills and community needed to thrive. Life is full of curveballs, and PF Changes Inc. hopes to provide the tools this generation can use to become their most resilient, powerful selves.

After age 18, many young adults face independence unprepared, especially when coming from environments with little to no support. These individuals are usually trying to cope with:

And the risk to young adults’ well-being is not limited to a single demographic or social status. Despite some having the resources and opportunities to advance in society, many middle-class and wealthy participants carry hidden struggles such as:

The entire point of PF Changes Inc.’s existence is to ensure that every child in need receives the love, care, and stability they deserve, cultivating their emotional and social development in a safe and supportive atmosphere. By working with youths aged 18 to 25+, William and Charles aim to build a leadership pipeline in the DFW area where participants who overcome personal and communal adversities become mentors and leaders ready to empower the next generation. This purpose comes alive through their unique organizational framework.

The (P)lacement vs. (F)amily Framework

In PF Changes Inc, the “P” and “F” represent the initials of William (Pittman) and Charles (Fields). However, they also abbreviate the framework William and Charles have utilized throughout their fostering days and strive to implement within this nonprofit organization. These young adult advocates offer either a (P)lacement or a (F)amily experience to youth in need of guidance, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.

As foster parents, William and Charles aimed to make the youths in their care feel comfortable enough to want their support. When met with opposition or resistance, William and Charles provided the minimal requirements necessary under the DHS system. Even while providing a nurturing environment, they could not offer the full experience as a foster family based on the foster youth’s pseudo-rights—this became what they called the Placement approach. Contrarily, the Family approach occurred when young adults in William and Charles’ care became more receptive to guidance and gaining familial opportunities they may not receive elsewhere. They made it a point to invest in their education, extracurricular activities, and overall well-being to ensure they received love, support, and hope in all aspects of their life. This openness often resulted in first-time experiences like plane rides, vacations, and even family dinners.

When foster youths showed a willingness to learn about themselves, William and Charles could then expose them to new, eye-opening experiences, helping them understand just how big the world is and confirming that their lives are not defined solely by negative experiences and hardships. This is the same infrastructure they wish to bring to PF Changes Inc.

The Mission of PF Changes Inc.

When it comes to PF Changes Inc., William and Charles believe participants should be excited about the organization rather than feel coerced or pressured into it. When individuals enroll in empowerment programs driven by external expectations rather than by their own volition, they receive only the minimum support necessary to get by, not to thrive. Motivation has to come from within, or young adults will miss out on the transformative experiences that help build their confidence and resilience.

*The same framework can be applied to youth aging out of foster care, young parents, reentry participants, LGBTQ+ young adults, middle-income families, and affluent participants needing identity, purpose, and life structure.

Regardless of whether they start off with a Placement or Family mentality, PF Changes Inc. wants to help all young people improve their lives in whatever capacity it can. The goal is not to label people by hardship, income, education, or belief, but to help each person build the structure needed to live with stability, purpose, and responsibility when faced with abrupt life struggles many cannot prepare for. It’s all about fostering genuine enthusiasm for personal growth!

Age 18 is a legal turning point, but it is not always a life-readiness turning point. Many people become legally independent before having the clarity required to navigate the world efficiently. PF Changes Inc. responds with a practical empowerment model: the 15-Week Empowerment Cohort, along with other initiatives focused on leadership development, community outreach, identity and self-awareness work, financial literacy education, career readiness training, mental and emotional health advocacy, and family/parenting support.

Interested in joining PF Changes Inc. or know someone who could benefit from our programs? Contact us for more information or visit the “Get Involved” page to start designing your legacy.