Blog - Fostering Advocates Arizona

Keeping Youth Connected

September 7, 2018 by FAAZ Blog Leave a Comment

Young people in foster care face a lot of educational challenges, including moving schools frequently, losing connections with close friends, and disruptions in academic plans. Foster families, however, can make this transition easier by listening to youth and helping them maintain connections during this time.

I entered the foster care system at age of ten. I experienced several placements, including group homes, foster homes, as well as some kinship placements. While I was able to stay at the same middle school, once I entered high school, I began moving schools once every few months. From freshman to sophomore year I was forced to switch school seven different times. This made it hard to make new friends, as I knew my time at a school would always be temporary. I didn’t get along with my teachers and never felt like I was living up to my full potential. The most difficult part was the lack of communication I had with anyone regarding these frequent changes. One foster parent showed concern for me during this time. She worked hard to make sure I could go out with friends and have normal experiences.

I stayed connected to my best friend from middle even during this time. Although there were challenges, being able to call or visit him was really important to me. I remember when I could visit him, I would look out the window of the group home van and see him with the biggest smile on his face, happy that I could visit. It was much different than when we saw each other every day in middle school, but it was exciting and meaningful when we were able to visit. It was this friendship that allowed me to eventually find permanency, as my friend’s mother adopted me into their family. It was through the support of my other placements that I was able to maintain this relationship.

All young people deserve permanent connections. Friendships serve as important long-term relationships. To help assist youth with these relationships, foster families must communicate with youth in their care. Ask us who is important in our lives and help us stay in contact with them, whether it is through in-person visits or phone calls. Ask us what school we go to and if we would like to stay there. Advocate for our best interest; to make it possible help us advocate for ourselves and work with our case specialist to find the best solutions. Our case plan is not set in stone. You are functioning as a parent, and just like a biological parent, you can and should speak up for the wants and needs of the youth in your care for.

-Maria, FAAZ YALB member

A New Sun Devil!

July 2, 2018 by FAAZ Blog Leave a Comment

Jesus Ledezma, a member of the FAAZ Young Adult Leadership Board, has been awarded the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholarship, an award for youth who have experienced foster care and others who face barriers to education. With the assistance provided by the scholarship, Jesus will be attending Arizona State University this fall.

Jesus is passionate about helping others, especially in the area of healthcare. He reflected on the many people who were part of his “team” who helped him get to this point.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the people who supported me; family, friends, and programs,” Jesus shared.

In addition to pursuing a career in healthcare compliance, Jesus is also enrolling in the Barrett Honors College.

Jesus has worked very hard to become a Nina Scholar. He shared that prior to high school he “hated math, hated pretty much every bit of school.” During his freshman year, he felt motivated to work towards a better life and raised his grades and became very involved in school. He started tutoring other students, even in math, which he found he didn’t hate so much once he did well. He worked on his school’s yearbook and was their Editor in Chief his senior year. Jesus also started his school’s chess club and was inducted into the National Honor’s Society.

For Jesus, these scholarships represent all the hard work as well as his future. “It feels like I’m getting there, slowly getting to the point where I can be successful,” he stated. He views this scholarship as a stepping stone for the future.

Jesus’s advice for other youth who are eager to earn scholarships is to trust the people who are there for you, whether it be friends, family or programs. Most importantly, he said, “don’t screw up your ninth grade year.”

Youth Engagement Conference

June 15, 2018 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

Last month, three FAAZ Young Adult Board Members traveled to San Antonio, Texas for the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Youth Engagement Conference. This two-day long event focused on youth voice as the driver behind race, ethnicity, equity and inclusion conversations. FAAZ Board Member, Ashley Pacheco, spoke at the conference and shared her experience.

Ashley believes that engaging young people in these conversations is extremely important. In her opinion, we all come from different backgrounds and while many adults can deliver a moving speech, when it comes from another young person it can help youth feel more connected. In her own words, “authentically engaging youth is really important because it is the foundation on how to talk to youth and how to connect to youth.” Ashley feels that when organizations engage youth directly it demonstrates that they are “not talking for you, but with you.”

Ashley enjoyed several of the guest speakers at the conference. One speaker in particular, Jerry Tello of National Compadres Network, brought Ashley comfort when she found out they were from the same hometown. Even though Jerry didn’t experience foster care, he understood and shared similar experiences growing up a young person of color. In this way, it validated her own personal experiences.

The trip also served as an opportunity for Ashley to connect with her fellow Board Members. They shared their stories and reflected on the commonalities and differences between them. Ashley brings home a greater sense of connection as well as the tools to engage in potentially uncomfortable conversations regarding race equity.

2018 Policy Recommendations Announcement

March 18, 2018 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

As young people who have experienced foster care, our challenges, strengths and life experiences are the driving force behind our advocacy efforts. Having lived through the obstacles that brought us into care, managing life while in care, and surviving life after care, we understand the hurdles and struggles current and former foster youth face each day.

Over the last several months, we have worked diligently to identify four key priority areas along with recommendations to improve foster care in Arizona. We are excited to announce the publication of our 2018 Policy Recommendations. We urge you to read our personal testimonies on how these priority areas have challenged and affected our lives and join us in taking action to make these changes. We are asking for a seat at the leadership table, and so should you! As experts on foster care, in the coming weeks, months and years ahead we need to provide meaningful ideas and solutions for ALL youth to truly thrive in Arizona.

Breanna Carpenter
Fostering Advocates Arizona
Young Adult Leadership Board Member

Frank Smith is going to the UK!

December 6, 2017 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

We are so pleased to share that Frank Smith, a member of the Fostering Advocates Arizona (FAAZ) Young Adult Leadership Board, has just been awarded the extremely prestigious Marshall Scholarship, a postgraduate scholarship for distinguished young Americans, focused on future leaders and with the goal to strengthen the special relationship between the United Kingdom and United State for “the good of mankind in this turbulent world.” It is one of the most difficult scholarships to win requiring university endorsement and competition against approximately 1000 applicants nationwide. Each year, 40 Americans are awarded the scholarship. Frank heads to the United Kingdom in August of 2018.

I thought I bombed it (the interview). I had got into Los Angeles at 3 am from a red eye from New York City and my interview was at 3 pm that same day. The questions were grueling and challenging,” Frank said.

Frank is looking forward to attending Oxford University and obtaining his Master’s in Comparative Social Policy. Frank’s knowledge and drive to win this award came from a number of sources. He has worked hard to build a support system with friends already in the program as well as working with the Arizona State University National Scholarship Office to help expedite the interview process.

“Young adults interested in going for these types of awards should know it is a very lengthy process and to not get discouraged. I have been at it since April 2017. I was fortunate to have great recommendations as well and during the essay process I was able to use those to tell my story,” Frank shared.

As an alumni of foster care in Arizona, Frank has been an outstanding leader and inspiration to us all in his drive to improve outcomes for children caught in the grips of the child welfare system, often speaking with policy-makers. He has repeatedly demonstrated an unfailing ambition to reach and to learn through diverse experiences in the broader public policy world. This is another step in his quest to make a difference in the lives of others.

What’s next for Frank? Start the prep for an August departure to study for two years. Frank’s dream? “Capitol Hill of course!” He said.

CONNECT with FAAZ