Justin Dux’s Post

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

"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

Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation would like to thank our good friend, Jonel for hosting a fundraiser in support of our Keys to Success program! For three years, she has combined her passion for fashion with her dedication to help young men and women aging out of foster care achieve self-sufficiency. Each June, Jonel holds a 30 Days of Dresses Instagram campaign in which she models a new dress and shoes each day and then asks her followers to vote for their favorite by donating to AFFCF. Since she began, Jonel has raised more than $1,200! There are many ways in which you can help change the story of foster care for children and youth in Arizona! Here are just a few examples: 1. Hold a fundraiser of your own like Jonel or create a Facebook Fundraiser! 2. Volunteer your time and/or talents. 3. Designate AFFCF as the beneficiary of your Fry’s Community Rewards so every time you buy groceries, you support youth in foster care! 4. Invite us to speak at your company or small business. 5. Follow, like and share our social media posts on Facebook (AFFCF), Instagram (azffcf) and LinkedIn (AFFCF) to increase community awareness of our important work with kids in foster care. The sky’s the limit on how you can get involved and we’re happy to help! Give us a call at 602.252.9445 to learn more. #fostercare #makeadifference #changethestory #transformalife #40yearsofchangingthestory #affcf40thanniversary #childhoodactivities #keystosuccess #postsecondaryprograms #focusforwardfund #AFFCF #azffcf #youwinkidswin

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

😃Help us get kickstarted! ALL OF FEBRUARY we’re trying to raise AT LEAST 20k to get kick started. You can give there! Big or small, every dollar counts! Here’s what we’re trying to get started with… >> Getting resources to our young adults who have aged out. Food, hygiene products, basic household needs, furniture, gas cards etc… >> Resources to foster families as needed. >> The Crown Project… access hair care/ braids/protective styles for the black community in foster care and young adults who have aged out (52% of our kids in foster care in our kick off county are African American, more needs to be done for people of color who have specific needs). Also providing things like bonnets for kids in foster care. >> Assistance with senior year things that are not covered by DCS... Like being able to get hair, nails and make up done for prom. >> Provide new shoes and clothes as needed. These are just a few things that we’re aiming to get kickstarted this year! Our ultimate goal is to have a building that’s serving as a place of help and community for kids, and young adults who are or have experienced the foster system, and the families and case workers who support them. Then we want to see this happen countrywide. We’ve got big dreams!!!! We can’t wait to see them happen!!! These look like big goals for just us. But we know that as a community, if we all jump in, we can make this happen EASILY! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 https://lnkd.in/ePNy6zAK #nonprofit #nashvillenonprofit #charity #nashvillecharity #fostercare #nashvillefostercare

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

As youth experiencing foster care get closer to their 18th birthday, they get closer to aging out. If some type of permanency hasn’t been achieved, the future can be totally uncertain. Without a support system, or a defined opportunity to get a job or continue education, the future is not just uncertain – in many cases, it’s set up to fail and fall into the downstream cycles we’re passionately trying to disrupt. For many, instability has been a constant companion. Some have never known the stability and security that we might take for granted. For 47% of current foster youth, homelessness isn’t an idea. It’s an experience they’ve personally faced with their biological families before being removed. Cut to their 18th birthday, and they find themselves in a position that mirrors the circumstances of their childhood. Here’s the sobering truth: without intervention, the pattern of homelessness may persist, perpetuating the cycle for generations to come. Our programs were developed to break these cycles through mentorship, and radical community. We're empowering youth to claim their futures despite their past. You can take part in this work in a life-changing way. When hundreds of individuals like you come together to invest $10/month, $25/month, $50/month – powerful and sustainable change becomes possible. Generational change becomes possible. You can use your influence to change the statistics. Will you join us today? Visit: https://lnkd.in/gSvuKvmj *Statistical sources can be found at https://lnkd.in/gDWtFTaH #NationalAngels #FosterCare #HomelessnessAwareness #FosterCareAwareness #EducationForAll #Foster #NFCM #Education #changethestats #OlympicAngels #OlympicPeninsula #volunteer #lovebox #mentor #daretodream #community #fostercarecommunity #nonprofit #donate #fostercarenonprofit

What if Olympic Angels didn't exist? 🛑 Hundreds of children and dozens of fostering families would be unsupported -> 🛑 Kids would get moved off of the Olympic Peninsula because of a lack of available foster homes... away from their school, community, friends, church, their library, and all of the familiar places, smells, and sounds that they know. 50% of foster homes close within their first year. But Love Box volunteers increase the support and stability of caregivers, decreasing the number of children moving from home to home.⁠ ⁠ The more stability a child in foster care has, the better their outcomes. You can be a part of creating a supported, consistent home for children experiencing foster care. 🧡⁠ ⁠ Learn more or submit a volunteer application to be a part of community-supported foster care: olympicangels.org/lovebox #foster #fostercare #fostercarecommunity #fostercarenonprofit #lovebox #daretodream #mentor #volunteer #olympicpeninsula #changethestats #community #nonprofit #donate #portangeles #portangelespubliclibrary #porttownend #sequim #stability #placementstability

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

Every year in the New York City area, hundreds of young adults age out of foster care facing daunting statistics: 20% risk homelessness, 25% may encounter the justice system, and 50% risk their children entering foster care. Hearts to Homes is changing these outcomes: → 89% of our recipients maintain stable housing, breaking the cycle of homelessness and incarceration. → 90% of custodial parents provide stable environments for their children, preventing the next generation from entering foster care. → Our support has contributed to 30 college graduates and aids 121 current college students in their educational pursuits. These results highlight the transformative impact of comprehensive support, offering more than just essentials for a new apartment but a foundation for a successful future. Be part of the change. Your support can directly contribute to continued success stories for young adults stepping into independence. Discover how you can donate and make a difference at https://lnkd.in/eGbx9Fk. #HeartsToHomes #FosterCareSuccess #StableFutures #NonProfitImpact #EducationSupport