Advocacy - Fostering Advocates Arizona

I Speak Change. Youth Speak Involvement.

March 1, 2016 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

I Speak Involvement

At 15-years-old, I was placed into Arizona’s child welfare system. From this experience, I discovered just how challenging every aspect of life becomes while in foster care. As I recognized the need for social change my passion for studying social work emerged. I believe education and a strong support system play a vital role in self-development and so I sought to make a difference by attending Arizona State University. I became involved in programs that aligned with my experiences in the child welfare system, as well as my belief in the power of education to impact youth who have experienced foster care. .

The Armstrong Family Foundation Scholarship and Bridging Success are two of the programs that I am involved in at ASU. In each of these programs, I am surrounded by a community of people and resources. I always have faculty, coordinators and mentors to turn to when I need support including help with financial aid. I have also made friends who are like family who provide a great social support.

I joined the board of Fostering Advocates Arizona to make a difference in the lives of youth who experienced foster care by supporting systematic changes to address the disparities and needs of foster youth. Overall, I would like to advocate for as many individuals who have experienced foster care as I can through my leadership and involvement with Fostering Advocates Arizona as well as clubs and programs at ASU.

I Speak Change. Youth Speak Education.

January 22, 2016 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

ISpeakEdu During my senior year of high school I would ask myself every day “how in the world am I going to pay for college?” As a former foster child, first generation college student, and having no means to finance my education, I was never deterred from seeking a college degree. Rather, these obstacles pushed me to work even harder. I did not want my fate to be the same as some individuals around me, which resulted in me devoting time every day to applying for scholarships.

The Armstrong Family Foundation Scholarship was the first scholarship that I was awarded. Many scholarships commonly provide the funds to attend college, but the Armstrong Family Foundation Scholarship provides so much more- a family. Each month we participate in a scholarship event. Some of the past events include seeing a Broadway play at Gammage Theater, learning proper dining etiquette, attending professional development opportunities, and taking part in community service. My personal favorite is when all of the scholars go to Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico. During the weekend trip, the scholars assist in building homes for local families and distribute about 1,000 food boxes.

Frank Smith ASU Student Body President

In addition to the cultural experiences, networking opportunities and all of the free food, there is a scholarship coordinator that will be there for you every step of the way during your collegiate experience. Without the funds provided to me by the generous Armstrong Family Foundation Scholarship, I would have not been able to be as involved in the extracurricular activities on and off campus.

A person is not responsible for the circumstances that they are born into, but they are responsible for what they do despite their upbringing.” —Frank Smith

Interested in applying for the Armstrong Scholarship? Click here!

I Speak Change. Youth Speak Nina Scholars.

December 23, 2015 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

ISpeakChangeNinaSholar

As a former foster care child, figuring out how to pay for my college expenses such as tuition, books, & housing was quite intimidating. Thankfully, I became a scholar of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, which supported me throughout my undergraduate degree at Arizona State University. The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust is one of the most unique and giving scholarship programs for former foster care youth in Arizona. As an undergraduate student, not only did they support me financially in covering my college expenses, but they also created a community of mentors and friends that guided me through my best and most difficult moments.

The scholarship directors were always accessible to talk with, whether it was school related or not, through their regular progress check-ins. There were also events throughout the year to spend quality time with other scholars. Having those experiences makes a world of a difference in the lives of former foster care youth pursuing their education. It fostered those strong relationships that are needed to succeed.

Alongside creating a community of mentors and friends, the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust connected me to resources such as supplemental scholarships, community programs for foster youth, and academic and financial experts at the university. This helped to affirm that I was in fact, receiving all of the support necessary to reach my full potential as a student. A BIG THANK YOU to the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust for going above and beyond in ensuring that former foster care youth receive a well rounded education. Keep changing lives, you are truly remarkable!

I Speak Change. Youth Speak Healthcare.

November 18, 2015 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

ISpeakHealthcare Transitioning from foster care at age 18 and becoming an independent young adult can be very exciting and nerve wrecking. There are many significant responsibilities to manage and at times we forget, or don’t prioritize, the importance of obtaining or maintaining health insurance. Thankfully, there is now health insurance for former foster care youth known as Young Adult Transitional Insurance or YATI up to age 26.

Desaray-Duo Prior to YATI, there was minimal support for health insurance for former foster care youth. As a result, I aged out of foster care without health insurance, which caused a lot of financial and health obstacles for me. From the ages of 18-23, I was without health insurance and during that time I had a few medical emergencies that resulted in thousands of dollars in medical debt that took me several years to pay off. My story of being ineligible for health insurance as a former foster care child, before the implementation of YATI, is not unique. There were many other young adults who had aged out of care, became uninsured and were unable to seek regular or emergency medical attention without the fear of paying costly medical bills.

In 2014, health insurance for young adults who aged out of foster care in Arizona and are living in Arizona was extended to cover young people age 18-26. This was truly a win for current and former foster care youth in Arizona! We all know the importance of health insurance and that in order to thrive, perform well in our jobs and education and lead a happy family, we need be proactive and take care of our health.

Click to learn more about Young Adult Transitional Insurance and how you may be eligible!

I Speak Change. Youth Speak Employment.

September 24, 2015 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

I Speak Employment

“We have a family atmosphere at The Refuge” said John Strawn, general manager of The Refuge restaurant and café . During my afternoon visit the staff and customer interaction was friendly and welcoming. The restaurant is owned and operated by Catholic Charities Community Services of Phoenix and through their Youth Vocational Training Program at The Refuge, they provide refugees and at risk youth job training skills.

I was eager to visit the Phoenix café and meet with Bianca Rivers, who is employed in their Youth Vocational Training Program, and who also happens to be a Fostering Advocates Arizona Board Member.

BianaActionCollage

Danielle Heyer, Director of the Youth Training Program, got Bianca started in the program that offers young adults, ages of 19-23, a jump-start on job training and leadership skills to prepare them for long-term employment. Young adults earn wages while also learning and practicing customer service, budgeting, resume building, and interviewing.

“Our program is catered to each youth and we actively make an effort to provide program participants learning opportunities that fit with their needs and passions” said Heyer. For Bianca, the program was catered to her passion for baking. When Bianca began the program she was quiet and often kept to herself, but that didn’t last long. “After starting the program I realized that I’m actually very outgoing and funny, and I enjoy having conversations and building relationships with our customers” said Bianca.

Since the program’s beginning in 2014, The Refuge has employed 14 young people through collaboration with Valley youth-serving organizations. “We are a stepping stone and a resource for refugees and at risk youth,” said Heyer. “Once they leave our program we maintain contact with them. Our door is always open to alumni of our program, even if they are just coming for a visit and a cup of coffee”.

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