TARA believes every young adult deserves the opportunity to thrive.
A TARA Scholarship provides two years of personalized coaching, practical life skills, and a supportive community. Through TARA's Six Pillars, each Scholar develops the confidence, resilience, and tools to build a life of health, purpose, financial independence, and meaningful connection.
There is no cost to Scholars. The investment comes from donors who believe that changing one life can strengthen an entire community.
Too often, people are defined by the challenges they have faced rather than the strengths they possess or the future they can create. Whether leaving foster care, completing addiction recovery, or beginning a new life in a new country, many have spent years being seen through the lens of their circumstances.
A TARA Scholarship begins with a different belief: every Scholar already possesses inherent worth, untapped potential, and the capacity to build a meaningful life. Our role is to provide the guidance, community, accountability, and practical tools that help transform potential into lasting change.
Our name reflects that commitment. Truth means meeting each Scholar with honesty, compassion, and respect for where they are today.
Right Action means walking alongside them as they take consistent, practical steps toward the life they want to build—over two years, and for as long as they remain part of the TARA community.
Each one is something a TARA Scholarship works on directly, and measures across two years.
young adults aged 18–34 has prediabetes — 26.4 million people. Most do not know it.
NHANES analysis, 2026 · 37.3% by fasting glucose, HbA1c, or 2-hour plasma glucoseof adults aged 18–25 experienced a mental illness in the past year — the highest rate of any adult age group.
SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2024 · released July 2025of the calories adults aged 19–39 eat come from ultra-processed food.
CDC / NCHS Data Brief 536, August 2025 · NHANES, Aug 2021–Aug 2023Life doesn't separate physical health from emotional wellbeing, or money from relationships — and neither does TARA. Across six interconnected Pillars, Scholars build the practical skills, confidence, and resilience that independent life requires.
Nutrition, hydration, and restorative sleep. Eating well on a real budget, in your own food culture. We start from what you already cook.
Access to gyms, studios, and classes across Greater Boston. Scholars choose the activity they will keep doing after the scholarship ends. Cost is the barrier we remove.
Practical tools to manage stress, including breathwork, meditation, journaling and access to mindfulness apps. Referral to licensed care when needed.
Art, music, cooking, writing, and craft. A Scholar expresses identity and processes emotion in whatever language fits.
Learn budgeting concepts, how to build an emergency fund, and file taxes. Learn how investing works, and the concepts of credit, interest, and principal.
A cohort that starts together and stays together, plus hours of service at a place each Scholar chooses. Connection to people, and to the earth we share. Belonging deepens through contribution.
Together these Pillars strengthen physical and emotional wellbeing while building confidence, decision-making, and long-term independence.
A short application. No cost.
Every Scholar is paired with a dedicated coach who provides encouragement, accountability, and guidance.
A personalized path across the six Pillars, adjustable at any time.
Scholars participate at their own pace, staying engaged through regular coaching conversations and reflections in the secure TARA portal.
Two years together — and for as long as a Scholar remains part of the TARA community. Some return as mentors.
Applicants must be between 18 and 25 and show a genuine commitment to personal growth, accountability, and active participation throughout the scholarship. Selection is based on each applicant's readiness to engage fully — not on academic achievement or financial circumstances.
Priority consideration goes to young adults transitioning from foster care or with previous foster care experience, graduates of addiction recovery programs committed to maintaining their recovery, and recent immigrants establishing a new life in Greater Boston.
Our coaches are trained practitioners. When a Scholar needs licensed care, we say so and help them find it.
We don't handle immigration matters or provide legal advice of any kind.
TARA does not provide employment services. We build the personal and practical footing a Scholar carries into whatever comes next.
If you work with DCF, a resettlement agency, an adult education program, a community health center, or a recovery program — you already know who this is for.
Refer a Scholar referrals@tarafoundation.orgTARA is built on a simple belief: when young adults are given the right support, practical tools, and a community that believes in them, they don't simply recover — they flourish.
Founded by Meaghan Ryan — retired nurse, former CPA, single mother.
The Founding Cohort has not started yet, so there are no outcome numbers on this page. Here is how the organization is built.
IRS-recognized public charity. Determination letter published in full.
Registered with the California Attorney General.
Governing documents, conflict-of-interest policy, and bylaws published.
A TARA Scholarship is an investment in a human life.
Helps provide a Scholar’s welcome package.
Provides one month of personalized life coaching.
Provides a welcome package to one Scholar — reusable water bottle, water filter, activity tracker, and journal.
Supports one Scholar’s personalized wellness resources for a year.
Helps fund an entire year of a TARA Scholarship.
Every gift is part of what it takes to support a Scholar through two years. Give any amount you choose.
TARA is committed to financial transparency. Our annual financial statements and impact report will be available on our website, to donors and to anyone interested in how we steward the resources entrusted to us.
info@tarafoundation.org
referrals@tarafoundation.org
partners@tarafoundation.org
TARA has no physical office. The programme happens in partner gyms, studios, community spaces, and online across Greater Boston.
Legal address: 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201