Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation’s Post

"The support that Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation has shown me during my college career has allowed me to set my goals higher than I ever could have imagined." - Arena, AFFCF Scholar Three percent. That's it. Just three percent of youth with foster care backgrounds will earn a post-secondary degree, compared to the 66% of the general population of their peers. The reasons for not completing their degree vary - an emergency popped up, they had a bad semester, they were on the brink of being homeless... AFFCF's Post-Secondary programs provide more than just funds for tuition and fees; they also help with unexpected life emergencies that can prevent students from completing their college education. Because having been in foster care shouldn't mean you can't reach your goals. You can make a real impact for post-secondary students with foster care backgrounds and get rewarded for your good deed! Because AFFCF is a Qualifying Foster Care Organization (#10023), your donation qualifies for a credit on your AZ state taxes, up to $1,051. And...you can donate today and still count it for the 2023 tax year! Donate today at affcf.org/give! #AFFCF40thAnniversary #40yearsofimpact #40yearsofchangingstories #fostercare #postsecondaryprograms #AFFCF #azffcf #celebratewithus #40for40 #youwinkidswin

If you were considering giving this year, please consider the below

A survey sent to all foster parents in MN revealed only 17% reported they felt supported by a community of other foster parents. Foster Together MN built the community for foster parents. I didn't need a survey to know that less than at least 17% of new salesforce admins feel that the community fails to provide them real experience before entering the profession. Making "Experience" happen became my personal challenge this year. In 2024, seven salesforce professionals began implementation on a brand new Salesforce org for Foster Together. Last night, we completed our first sprint. The first demo, of many, and the first impressions from the board members crystalized our shared vision. I'm committed to removing the excuse "not enough experience" from employers' vocabulary. Thank goodness these foster parents aren't also told they can't start their family because they also "don't have enough experience". It takes a community to launch a salesforce career. It takes a community to strengthen a family. These concepts are not different. It's Ohana. Consider supporting this nonprofit as they support us. https://lnkd.in/gyVPgZ7T I'm accepting employer applications for these talented Admins and BA's. Tena Stromgren, Mariam Maurice, Jackson Day, Marlena Schutz, William Moran, and Greg Woods. This team has laid the foundation for Salesforce talent to come. Setting up full stack development, DevOps procedures, and new CRM functionality. These platforms will allow us to deliver solutions as a large "enterprise" team for a "small" nonprofit. When one gets hired, another can step in. Consider donating $17 to fight this feeling that the job market is unfair. Consider donating $17 to fight for families that feel alone. Consider donating $17 to show the world that 17% of parents feeling they belong to a community is too low.

Mid-Michigan, YOU can help youth transitioning from foster care into adulthood by donating new or gently used furniture and household items to Samaritas' Independent Living Homes. 💫 Your contributions can create a welcoming and uplifting environment for these teens. The following furniture is needed. Furniture should be durable and able to last through multiple users. Lansing: 1. Pots and Pans (new) 2. Dishes & Silverware (new or used) 3. Living Room Set (new or used in good condition) 2. Dinette Set w/ Two Chairs (new or used in good condition) 3. Area rugs (new or used in good condition) 4. End tables (new or used in good condition) Flint: 1. Area rugs (new or used in good condition) 2. Curtains (new or used in good condition) 3. Bed Pillows (new) For drop-off details, contact Kayla Park at kpark@samaritas.org. Your donation can make a huge difference! 💜 https://lnkd.in/eMYwWcuD

This is spot-on. And love the recommendations: 1. If you are Mandated Reporter, offer support to families before you report. 2. Consider donating to or volunteering at local agencies that are helping families meet concrete needs. 3. Spread the word to colleagues, friends, and family members in your network on how they help keep families safely together too. 4. Consider how racism and bias show up in your practice and work to make a change. #FamilySupport #BuildPositiveChildhoods

https://lnkd.in/eg5UPGRA Stuff-A-Trunk/Home for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care & Adoption 12 days remaining to give! Click the link below to make a tax deductible donation. Remember... here are some staggering statistics that drive us: ~More than 23,000 children will age out of the US foster care system every year. ~After reaching the age of 18, 20% of the children who were in foster care will become instantly homeless. ~Only 1 out of every 2 foster kids who age out of the system will have some form of gainful employment by the age of 24. ~There is less than a 3% chance for children who have aged out of foster care to earn a college degree at any point in their life. ~7 out of 10 girls who age out of the foster care system will become pregnant before the age of 21. ~ Despite all of the challenges, 70% of foster kids regularly say that they would like to attend college one day. Source: https://lnkd.in/e47xbiTN

Often times we hear, “I want to help the foster care system, but don’t know how.” 🔥 Let’s change that! There are MANY ways you can provide support to the foster care community! Think of something you are good at or something you enjoy and get creative! Here’s just a few ideas! 🫶 📍Pray for the foster care community. 📍Become a foster parent. 📍Sign up to Volunteer with our organization. 📍Become a CASA Volunteer. 📍Make a one time donation to our organization or become a monthly sponsor to help us continue to provide resources. 📍Donate clothing or needed items to our Clothing Closets. 📍Host drives for Together We Fosters needed items such as hygiene products, pajamas, diapers and wet wipes. 📍If you know a foster parent, offer to babysit or cook them a meal- and check in often to see what needs you can assist with. 📍Put together Reunification Baskets 📍Cook or purchase meals for our Manna Meals Freezer. 📍Tell your friends and family how to get involved! 📍Sponsor a child for Christmas and purchase gifts from his/her wishlist. 📍Get your church involved! We love to partner with churches! Send us a message and we can help you find your place in serving! #bettertogether #togetherwefoster #fostercare #getinvolved #howcanyouhelp #volunteer

We often post statistics about young adults who age out of foster care, but today we wanted to share a personal story from a young adult in our program. “I’m a fellow foster child who has dealt with the system my whole life but one of the hardest parts was definitely after I aged out, growing up with no one to teach me the things I would need to know when I’m set free in the world, I can’t change a tire, I had no idea how hard it would be to set up my bank account, or even figure out how I can get my social because it was lost somewhere between moving around while younger.” This story is definitely not unique, and it’s a window into the challenges former foster youth face. Having a community that helps them fill in these gaps, “catch up” on the things they missed, is a key part of their success as adults, and it’s why we’re working on growing our life skills/culinary program. Want to help us meet this need? Consider a sponsorship or donation to the Bates Mission Carnival and Car Show, our biggest fundraiser for 2024. Former foster youth need the community’s help, and your support helps Bates Mission provide it. 🤝 https://lnkd.in/gX-MHQT4 #BatesMission #SupportingFormerFosterYouth #Nonprofit #Leander #Austin #RoundRock #CedarPark #Texas #CentralTexas #FosterCare #FosterYouth

Harcourts Foundation Grant for Special Books A recent Harcourts Foundation grant to ‘A Better Life for Foster Kids Incorporated’ has enabled the inclusion of two trauma-informed books in 400 Crisis Cases for children entering care. A Better Life For Foster Kids, Inc. is a Gippsland-based charity that supports children and carers in the out-of-home-care system. In total, 10 children in every 1000 in Victoria are on care and protection orders (14,947 children across Victoria, AIHW 2021). The majority of children enter out-of-home care with just the clothes they are wearing. The Crisis Cases are wheeled suitcases which provide children of all ages with approximately 55 items of clothing along with toiletries, hand-made dolls, and activity books especially written for children entering care. Click here to learn more > https://lnkd.in/gsTrRDJ6 #harcourts #realestate #betterinblue #peoplefirst #wemakeitpossible

You’re five years old, a stranger comes to your door and after packing up a bag of your belongings, buckles you up in an unfamiliar car. You have no idea where you are going. No idea why any of this is happening. You're vulnerable, scared, and confused. Your sense of security has been shattered, and you're left grappling with emotions well beyond your years. The life-altering impact this single experience could have on any child or youth is hard to imagine. The damage can be catastrophic: 80% of youth who've been removed from their homes and taken into foster care will exhibit mental health issues. 80%. This is a staggering statistic – but there's hope. Our Love Box® and Dare to Dream® programs are designed to build radical community around foster families and the children and youth in their care. This promotes placement stability where healthy adults can consistently and intentionally show up to nurture environments where kids can thrive. Placement stability = better outcomes. This work is truly hopeful – and we have an opportunity for you to be a part of it. Some choose to foster. Some choose to volunteer. Some choose to stand in the gap by consistently supporting this life-changing work through a monthly donation. Your gift of $10, $25, $50, no matter the amount, influences the stats. It sends a powerful message: you believe that every child, youth, and family experiencing foster care deserves to be reached and radically served by our programs. ➡ Click https://lnkd.in/gpnj2Zjd to join us! *Statistical sources can be found at cleangels.org/sources #FosterCare #MentalHealthMatters #NationalAngels #ClevelandAngels