News - 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!

Opportunity Passport – Yesenia Studies Abroad

December 27, 2015 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

When speaking with Yesenia her passion for journalism is instantaneously apparent as she talks about her goal of studying abroad; her smile beaming from cheek to cheek.

Yesenia is currently a full time student at Arizona State University in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She is also working on a minor in Spanish. She first heard about Opportunity Passport through her Nina Mason Scholars network.

“I am just so grateful for the opportunity to open a savings account and to purchase assets that are really needed. With Opportunity Passport you get real world experience managing money and you become grateful for all the opportunities it opens up.”

While working a part time job and saving her hard earned money, Opportunity Passport matched Yesenia’s savings of $1,500 for a total of $3,000 to help her purchase a life-changing asset. Yesenia made her dreams come true to study abroad in Costa Rica San Jose at Veritas University during her 2016 semester!

“Having my savings matched and being able to study abroad has huge implications for my future. The key to being a good journalist is being well rounded, cultured, and open-minded and this opportunity provides those experiences so I can be a great journalist.”

As Yesenia prepares for takeoff, she is already saving for her next asset purchase. She is currently without dental care and working to save funds for a needed procedure. With Opportunity Passport, Yesenia can break down those barriers and stay on top of her health and wellness so she can have the trip of a lifetime.

Help a youth like Yesenia in making their goals come true by “Sponsoring a Youth” today! Click here to learn more.

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it!

December 11, 2015 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

In today’s trending news, we are highlighting 14 year old Zak who reached his longtime goal of opening a savings and checking account with help from Opportunity Passport™!

Zak currently lives in a group home, is attending school and employed part time so he can save for his educational future. Like Zak, many youth who experience foster care do not have access to savings accounts to safely deposit their money. The result; they end up keeping their earnings in an unsecured box hidden in their room or under a mattress. With assistance from the Opportunity Passport™ Coordinator, Zak took the program‘s Savings and Investments Training and now has a secure bank account!

Zak is currently saving to buy a laptop for school and has been working with the Opportunity Passport™ coordinator on a savings plan and goal. Once he is ready to purchase a laptop, his savings will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the many generous individuals who chose to “Sponsor a Path” for a youth who has experienced foster care. You too can “Sponsor a Path” and support a young adult’s future independence.

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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