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

Opportunity Passport: Honesty’s Bus Farewell

March 24, 2016 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

Wheel invoice_7-29-15_AKFor Honesty Adams, purchasing her first vehicle with the support of Opportunity Passport was not only a privilege but also a necessity.

Having a vehicle provided me the opportunity to get to my job with Ulta, the make-up store, as well as maintain that employment now that I have reliable transportation. Sometimes I am required to travel from store to store and by having a vehicle I am able to fulfill my job requirements.”

With the Opportunity Passport financial literacy and match savings program, Honesty learned the skills of financial management including budgeting, savings, and car buying 101. She had her mind set on making a down payment for a vehicle to allow her to travel back and forth between school and work. “Cynnetta (Opportunity Passport Coordinator) was very helpful through the whole process. She was very attentive, guided me through the checklist of purchasing a vehicle, and connected me to a trusted dealership.”

By applying the money saving strategies she learned through Opportunity Passport, it was not long before Honesty saved $2,000. With the $2,000 match funds from the program, she had a down payment of $4,000 for her new 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid.

Where I came from, nobody helped me, but the Opportunity Passport program did. Without their help I would not have been able to make a down payment to purchase a vehicle. Now I have employment stability and access to opportunities that I may have never had without their support.”

Click to hear more stories from youth like Honesty on how Opportunity Passport has helped further their educational and employment goals leading to a brighter future.

 

Filed Under: Employment & Training, Moneywise, Opportunity Passport

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!

 

Filed Under: Advocacy, Education, Employment & Training

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.