Advocacy - Fostering Advocates Arizona

$20 Challenge

January 17, 2017 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

This month, Young Adult Leadership Board member, Maria, nominated FAAZ Advisory Board member, Lori Ollom-Tighe, to take part in the FAAZ Day in the Life Challenge. Each challenge is related to something FAAZ Young Adult Leadership Board members have personally experienced while in foster care and can provide input on what needs improvement. For one week, Lori was allotted $20 to spend on “extra” items such as toiletries, coffee, gas, food and groceries.

Here is what Lori experienced:

“The day before I began my challenge I did some serious “adulting”: I filled my gas tank, paid my bills, bought groceries and postponed a lunch meeting with a friend. I packed snacks, skipped lunches and I declined invitations out. It was possible I would need the $20 for gas money by the end of the week so I was trying to not spend.

In the middle of the week my daughter needed to go to the doctor. Although we have health insurance, the appointment and prescription amounted to $90. I only had $55 in my health savings account, so I had to use my $20 plus $15 more. This was the most striking moment of the challenge; I thought of how remarkably difficult it would have been for a young parent in the foster care system with limited resources.

I was moved with gratitude and reminded of what it was like to be a young person; the kind of expenses I had and my priorities at the time. I was blessed to be raised in a two parent household that supported my desire to manage a part-time job at 16. Because my essential needs were covered, I was able to spend money earned on accessories, clothes, food and entertainment. My paychecks supported my social life.”

When asked what she will do with what she has learned, Lori said she plans to begin asking family, friends and colleagues to take the challenge and become a voice for youth in foster care.

“I would love to see people unfamiliar with how foster care works participate in this challenge and share their experience; I think it could raise community awareness in a powerful way.”

Take our Day in the Life Challenge and you too can advocate for more normalcy in foster care.

Meet Our Newest YAB Member Victor!

October 27, 2016 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

victor_blog We 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.

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.
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!

I Speak Change. Youth Speak FAAZ.

April 28, 2016 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

ISpeakChangeAdvocacy

The key to making our Initiative great is the talented individuals on the Young Adult Leadership Board. Hear from them on the reasons they joined FAAZ!

“I love being part of the Young Adult Leadership Board because I enjoy collaborating with my fellow Board Members on new ideas to improve the foster care system.” – Maria

“FAAZ has taught me how to use my voice to advocate for youth who have experienced foster care through workshops, trainings, and public events.” – Adrian

WeSpeakAdvocacy

“By building strong relationships with my peers on the board, I have learned that anything is possible for youth in foster care to overcome, despite the many obstacles we face and will continue to face.”- Stefani

“I love being part of FAAZ because I have learned how to share my story strongly and effectively.”-Amber

Speaking-Change-Action

“I joined FAAZ to pay it forward and help children and youth in foster care, just as individuals helped me get to the postivie place I am at in my life.”- Ben

“Being part of FAAZ has allowed me the opportunity to meet a group of amazing individuals that have become very dear friends of mine. I have also learned so much about policy and the importance of speaking your voice to advocate for change at the state legislature.” -Desaray

“What I love is that we all have different backgrounds and experiences yet we advocate for one reason-to improve outcomes for youth in foster care…..and everyone on the board has huge hearts <3”- Patience

“I like being on the board because I can use my experience to help other young parents who are in school, like myself, because I know firsthand the struggle they face.”- Brittany

“By being part of FAAZ I have gained many skills such as advocacy, public speaking, and leadership. As a board we build each other up and become one voice to advocate for kids who are or were in our shoes.”- Ashley

I joined the FAAZ Young Adult Leadership Board because I want to be able to improve the child welfare system in Arizona for all of my foster care brothers and sisters across the state that are currently experiencing what I went through.” – Frank

I Speak Change. Youth Speak Parenting.

March 31, 2016 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

Parenting is a new adventure every day. Along with my husband, we are proud parents to our two little boys and my younger brother who we adopted. Parenting is one of the most impactful jobs a person can have. You are a guide, advocate, protector, and provider.

Being a young woman who has experienced foster care, I did not have parental figures to show me how to be all of those things, and simply put, to be a mom. Fortunately, when we had our first child we were connected to Healthy Families who provided trained staff to visit our home and work with our family one-on-one to provide guidance and support as new parents. Since I did not have parental figures to ask for advice, Healthy Families provided answers to my questions such as the developmental stages and milestones of children. They also connected us to resources around the community that without their support we would have never known about.

Family is forever. My husband, children, and siblings have always been my top priority. When my siblings and I entered foster care, my four brothers and I were separated. While two of my youngest brothers were adopted by a family out of state, my 19 year old brother lives with us and we were able to adopt my other brother; a memorable moment as it meant we would be a family forever.

I have learned that parenting is a team effort. I am the mother I am today in large part because of my supportive husband, he is my number one fan! He helps get the kids ready in the morning, looks after the kids while I am at work and school, and is supportive of breastfeeding which is a big commitment. We were also fortunate to have great support from our case manager Kimberly Aguilera, from Casey Family Programs, as she was especially helpful in finding resources for my brothers and I.

As I said, being a parent is a new adventure every day, however it is the most rewarding adventure I have embarked on, and I am so fortunate for the support we have received along the way.