Bridging foster care to adulthood - one step at a time
Our Mission
Our mission is to walk alongside transitional-age foster youth as they step into adulthood, offering mentorship, practical life skills support, career and education guidance, financial literacy, and emotionally supportive resource navigation, so that we can help build confidence, stability, and purpose.
Our Team
Nicole Renee Barboza
Nicole founded Transitional Steps to support transitional-age youth, including young adults exiting the foster care system, shaped by her own experience navigating housing instability and the absence of a consistent parental figure after her mother passed away, and by the unexpected community members who lifted her through food, encouragement, and the courage to dream beyond circumstance.
With over 10+ years of experience in philanthropic program management and leadership across mental health and STEAM-focused initiatives, she leads Transitional Steps with an equity-centered, relationship-based approach grounded in the belief that when young people are truly seen, supported, and challenged, they build lasting stability and become leaders within their communities.
Founder and Executive Director 
Elsa Linares
Elsa serves as the Programs and Community Wellness Director at Transitional Steps. She is an Associate Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience providing comprehensive, culturally responsive services to diverse communities. Throughout her career, Elsa has held clinical, advocacy, and leadership roles, building deep expertise in supporting individuals, families, and groups navigating complex social, emotional, and mental health needs.
Elsa is deeply committed to promoting well-being, fostering resilience, and advancing equity through compassionate, evidence-based practice. Her work centers on strengthening protective factors, expanding access to supportive services, and ensuring programs are grounded in dignity, trust, and community-informed care.
Programs and Community Wellness Director
Chief People & Financial Officer
Carlos Alvarez
Carlos serves as Chief People and Financial Officer at Transitional Steps, where he oversees organizational operations, financial strategy, and people-centered systems that support sustainable growth. He is the organization’s go-to leader for big data and analytics, using advanced data skills to scrub complex datasets, identify community-level patterns, and translate insights into strategic decisions that guide expansion and impact.
Over the past decade, Carlos has dedicated his time beyond his professional career to community development, with a focus on helping young people strengthen career skills and prepare for workforce pathways. His approach blends data-driven planning with human-centered leadership, ensuring resources are used responsibly while programs remain responsive to the real needs of transitional-age youth.
Contact Us
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