Fostering Advocates Arizona

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Meet Our Newest YAB Member Victor!

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victor_blogWe are proud to announce a new member has joined our Young Adult Leadership Board. Meet Victor! Victor joined Fostering Advocates Arizona to meet other young people working to make a positive difference for youth in foster care.

When asked about the unique perspective Victor brings to the Board he said:

I’ve met a lot of different people who have experienced foster care and heard a lot of different stories and so I feel confident in speaking on behalf of their needs and priorities as well as representing my fellow peers.”

Learn more about Victor and his passions and interests by clicking here.

I Feel Like I Made It

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daisylrThe saying “Home is where the heart is” rings particularly true for Opportunity Passport™ participant Daisy as her heart has been set on getting her first apartment. As an overnight Certified Nursing Assistant and a Bank Teller at Bank of America, Daisy has been busy saving for her very own place! Referred to Opportunity Passport™ through the Department of Economic Security, Daisy attended her first class and loved it!

Budgeting and saving is not easy, especially without having proper guidance. Opportunity Passport™ helped me a lot and provided the financial skills and knowledge I needed to manage my money!” For Daisy, moving into her first apartment was a huge milestone towards independence!

I used my hard earned money, along with Opportunity Passport’s™ dollar for dollar savings match, to pay for first month’s rent on my apartment. The program has given me a home I feel safe and comfortable in. I feel like I made it.”

Want to meet other youth like Daisy? Click here to meet Stefani who used her savings to purchase a car through the support of Opportunity Passport™! You too can support young people aging out of foster care by sponsoring a youth!

Introducing Jesus!

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We are excited to announce the welcoming of Jesus, our newest Fostering Advocates Arizona Young Adult Board Member. We are thrilled he is joining our team and bringing his knowledge and experience of the foster care system in Arizona with him. With his guidance, we will continue to advocate for positive changes and better outcomes for young people.jesus_blog
When asked what Jesus is passionate about he responded,

To say I like helping people is an understatement. As a matter a fact, my whole life’s goal revolves around the pursuit to help people. My passion is to aid the less fortunate and to improve the lives of others.”

Want to know more about Jesus and meet the rest of our awesome Board? Click here!

 

 

Family is what makes a home

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BrandyHouseImage

As a full time student, marketing assistant at a local travel agency, and a first time mom to a two year old daughter, Brandy believes housing stability is fundamental to supporting her life goals. As a participant in the Opportunity Passport™ program, Brandy saved her hard earned money for upcoming moving costs. Just as her lease was about to expire, something wonderful happened.

“Opportunity Passport™ matched my $1,000 savings for a total of $2,000 to make a down payment and first month’s rent on a house that is right across from my family. It is wonderful as my daughter and I walk across the street to have coffee with them.”

Brandy explained that being in foster care is not by choice but by circumstance and youth who have experienced foster care often have little support.

It is really comforting to know there are programs willing to help youth like Opportunity Passport™ and be the financial cushion and that many parents provide youth who are not in foster care. I am grateful for Opportunity Passport™ as the program helped me transition into another stage of my life and it is empowering to know there are people who are willing to help us move forward.”

 

Stefani’s Opportunity Passport™ Match!

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AllAboard_oppass“All aboard” is a phrase Stefani is very accustomed to. As a working mother of two, wife, student, and Board member of FAAZ, Stefani is constantly on the go! Before Opportunity Passport™, having one vehicle made it difficult for Stefani and her husband, Luis, to juggle their busy schedules between their two jobs and parenting responsibilities.

“When Luis was at work I would wait up until midnight, have to wake up our kids, and then pick him up from work.”

As a participant in the program,Stefani)oppPass Stefani had her eyes and wallet set on purchasing a vehicle.

“We knew we wanted to buy a car so we saved $3,000 and with Opportunity Passports™ asset match we put a $6,000 down payment on a 2007 Nissan Altima! Having a vehicle has helped tremendously from sharing parenting roles and being accountable at work. I use it for everything; getting to school, work, daycare, the grocery store, the list goes on!”

With help from the Opportunity Passport™ coordinator, Stefani’s family learned about responsibilities of purchasing a car and how to cut back on expenses to save.

“There is a lot to consider when buying a car such as the expenses of gas and insurance. I learned to do your research before purchasing a car. It’s a big commitment!”

Click here and meet other youth like Stefani. Hear how their savings has paid off in BIG ways!

 

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