Fostering Advocates Arizona

Youth. Speak. Change.

Youth Speak Change. I Speak Action.

by Leave a Comment

ISpeakAction

We are excited to announce not only one, but TWO new members of our Young Adult Leadership Board, Ray and Andy! Hear from them on the reasons they joined Fostering Advocates Arizona.

Ray, “As a new Board Member with Fostering AdvoRayBlogcates Arizona, I am stepping out of my comfort-zone. I hope in doing so that I may grow as an individual and contribute to society. Although nervous, there is this sense of excitement in being a Member which stems from knowing that FAAZ has made a tremendous difference in the lives of foster youth and that I will soon be apart of it moving forward!”

Andy_BlogAndy, “I am looking forward to being part of the Young Adult Leadership Board so I can support my peers who are experiencing foster care. By being on the Board, I am hoping to gain more skills in advocating and speaking out on their behalf.”

Chick here and learn more about Ray and Andy and the other 10 amazing advocates!

 

“Those Three Numbers Say A Lot About You”

by Leave a Comment

Eliah)Blog

 

They say wisdom comes with age, which rings true for Eliah as he’s realized early on that, “those three numbers say a lot about you.”

The three numbers Eliah is referring to are an individual’s FICO credit score.

“As I have gotten older, and now that I have a family, I have come to realize how important a good credit score is and how it impacts so many things.”

Opportunity Passport™ participant Eliah is going BIG and using his full savings match of $3,000 to build his credit.

“Building my credit is essential as it helps with obtaining and maintaining assets in the future, including getting a low interest loan for a car and a house. Not to mention, employers can pull your credit score so it ultimately impacts your employment.”

Eliah is one of the many young adults in Opportunity Passport™ to apply the savings strategies learned from the program to purchase an approved asset to help with financial stability.

“The Opportunity Passport™ program was VERY helpful for me as it taught me how to budget my money, evaluate my expenses, and to recognize the difference between my ‘wants’ and ‘needs’. It also taught me the importance of saving money for a rainy day in case an emergency happened. It’s not about me anymore it’s about my kids.”

Find out how YOU can “Sponsor A Youth” and help a young adult like Eliah purchase a life changing asset.

Cruisin with Opportunity Passport!

by Leave a Comment


Car Side Home Automation and Security Vector GraphicA participant of Opportunity Passport™, Blake is among 11 young adults in the program to save their hard earned money and purchase a vehicle with the support of the programs match funds.

The Opportunity Passport™ program helped me to accomplish my goals by matching the $1,100 I saved, for a total of $2,200, as a down payment to purchase my very own vehicle.”

Once Blake bought his car, he was better equipped to search and apply for employment. It was not long after he made his purchase that he got a job with a local business.

“Having the support of the program helped me a lot!” With one-on-one assistance from staff, Blake learned how to research used cars values through Kelly Bluebook to make sure he was purchasing a reliable car.

As a youth who has experienced foster care, it is easy to get stuck in limbo. If it was not for Casey Family Programs referring me to Opportunity Passport™, securing the match-funds and getting guidance from the Opportunity Passport™ staff, it would have been difficult to accomplish what I have today.”

Blake is now saving to move into his own apartment and is planning on using the rest of his match funds from the program to help pay for the security deposit and additional move in costs.

Find out how you can sponsor a youth like Blake by clicking here!

I Speak Change. Youth Speak FAAZ.

by Leave a Comment

ISpeakChangeAdvocacy

The key to making our Initiative great is the talented individuals on the Young Adult Leadership Board. Hear from them on the reasons they joined FAAZ! 

“I love being part of the Young Adult Leadership Board because I enjoy collaborating with my fellow Board Members on new ideas to improve the foster care system.” – Maria

“FAAZ has taught me how to use my voice to advocate for youth who have experienced foster care through workshops, trainings, and public events.” – Adrian

WeSpeakAdvocacy

“By building strong relationships with my peers on the board, I have learned that anything is possible for youth in foster care to overcome, despite the many obstacles we face and will continue to face.”- Stefani

“I love being part of FAAZ because I have learned how to share my story strongly and effectively.”-Amber

Speaking-Change-Action

“I joined FAAZ to pay it forward and help children and youth in foster care, just as individuals helped me get to the postivie place I am at in my life.”- Ben

“Being part of FAAZ has allowed me the opportunity to meet a group of amazing individuals that have become very dear friends of mine. I have also learned so much about policy and the importance of speaking your voice to advocate for change at the state legislature.” -Desaray

“What I love is that we all have different backgrounds and experiences yet we advocate for one reason-to improve outcomes for youth in foster care…..and everyone on the board has huge hearts <3”- Patience

“I like being on the board because I can use my experience to help other young parents who are in school, like myself, because I know firsthand the struggle they face.”- Brittany

“By being part of FAAZ I have gained many skills such as advocacy, public speaking, and leadership. As a board we build each other up and  become one voice to advocate for kids who are or were in our shoes.”- Ashley

I joined the FAAZ Young Adult Leadership Board because I want to be able to improve the child welfare system in Arizona for all of my foster care brothers and sisters across the state that are currently experiencing what I went through.” – Frank

I Speak Change. Youth Speak Parenting.

by Leave a Comment

Parenting is a new adventure every day. Along with my husband, we are proud parents to our two little boys and my younger brother who we adopted. Parenting is one of the most impactful jobs a person can have. You are a guide, advocate, protector, and provider.

Stefani portraitBeing a young woman who has experienced foster care, I did not have parental figures to show me how to be all of those things, and simply put, to be a mom. Fortunately, when we had our first child we were connected to Healthy Families who provided trained staff to visit our home and work with our family one-on-one to provide guidance and support as new parents. Since I did not have parental figures to ask for advice, Healthy Families provided answers to my questions such as the developmental stages and milestones of children. They also connected us to resources around the community that without their support we would have never known about.

Family is forever. My husband, children, and siblings have always been my top priority. When my siblings and I entered foster care, my four brothers and I were separated. While two of my youngest brothers were adopted by a family out of state, my 19 year old brother lives with us and we were able to adopt my other brother; a memorable moment as it meant we would be a family forever.

I have learned that parenting is a team effort. I am the mother I am today in large part because of my supportive husband, he is my number one fan! He helps get the kids readyStefani and Fam on National Adoption Day in the morning, looks after the kids while I am at work and school, and is supportive of breastfeeding which is a big commitment. We were also fortunate to have great support from our case manager Kimberly Aguilera, from Casey Family Programs, as she was especially helpful in finding resources for my brothers and I.

As I said, being a parent is a new adventure every day, however it is the most rewarding adventure I have embarked on, and I am so fortunate for the support we have received along the way.

Stefani Quote

Watch Our Video About Normalcy in Foster Care
7 Ways to Advocate for Your Rights in Foster Care

CONNECT with FAAZ