Fostering Advocates Arizona

Youth. Speak. Change.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • About Us
    • Meet Us! – Young Adult Leadership Board
    • Community Advisory Board
    • Our Priorities
  • Advocacy
    • Youth Advocacy & Rights
    • Normalcy
    • Training & Support
    • Publications
  • Aging Out
    • Aging Out? Now What?
    • Independent Living Program (ILP)
    • Transitional Independent Living Programs (TILP)
    • Independent Living Subsidy Program (ILSP)
    • Arizona Tuition Waiver (ATW)
    • Education and Training Voucher (ETV)
    • Young Adult Transitional Insurance (YATI)
  • Resources & Supports
    • Education
    • Employment and Money
    • Family and Community Relationships
    • Health
    • Housing Resources
    • Parenting Resources
    • Vital Documents
  • Contact Us

Mission Accomplished? Read to Find Out…

November 3, 2016 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

FAAZ Advisory Board member Sam Garman was chosen as the first nominee for our new Day in the Life blog series. Sam’s challenge; limit his daily shower to only 10 minutes (a common rule experienced by youth in group care)!

Ten minutes is shorter than expected. Two of the days I got distracted and blew right by my timer, but mostly I kept my shower under ten minutes. Nothing about rushing through a shower under a time limit is relaxing.”

10minshowerTo advocate for more “normalcy” while in foster care, each month the Young Adult Leadership Board will nominate one member of our Advisory Board to take part in a chosen “normalcy” challenge. Each challenge has been experienced by members of the FAAZ Young Adult Leadership Board and something they feel needs improvement.

“I tend to do my best thinking in the shower and often process some problem from work or something happening in my family, so this was a really tough challenge for me. The more time I spend with young adults in care and hear their stories, I realize how little autonomy they are often given. The days that my alarm went off before I was out of the shower, I was so frustrated with having to quickly finish. The experience of having something so fundamental regulated was eye opening.”

When asked how Sam will take what he learned from this experience and advocate for youth he responded, “One way to support normalcy in foster care is for foster homes to provide young people with more autonomy in their choices and decision making. I will also continue to advocate and encourage people to become foster parents and take the training on Reasonable and Prudent Parent decision making.”

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Meet Our Newest YAB Member Victor!

October 27, 2016 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Advocacy, Uncategorized

I Feel Like I Made It

October 8, 2016 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

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!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Introducing Jesus!

September 23, 2016 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

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!

 

 

Filed Under: Advocacy, News

Family is what makes a home

August 17, 2016 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

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.”

 

Filed Under: Moneywise, Opportunity Passport

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • …
  • 14
  • Next Page »
Watch Our Video About Normalcy in Foster Care
7 Ways to Advocate for Your Rights in Foster Care
  • Resource Library
  • Video Library
  • Media Kit

CONNECT with FAAZ

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Copyright by Fostering Advocates Arizona at Children's Action Alliance (CAA). The information included on this website is gathered by CAA. The organizations included on the website are not endorsed by CAA or Fostering Advocates Arizona. We welcome suggestions to improve this website. Please email fosteringadvocatesaz@gmail.com.