News release
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
“Allies provide invaluable support to these vulnerable youth, as each one is paired with a youth who they will help guide and encourage as they complete a post-secondary education – a key to breaking the cycle of challenges faced by these youth,” FYI said in a news release.
On Sept. 12 a training session will be held for anyone interested in learning more about what being an FYI Ally entails. The training will take place in the Fellowship Center at Christ Lutheran Church in Valencia from 6 to 8 p.m. Those interested can email FYI’s Volunteer Coordinator Darlene Allen at [email protected].
“We have more and more local foster youth discovering FYI and wanting to be a part of our community and receive the support we provide,” Carolyn Olsen, FYI’s executive director and co-founder, said in the release. “So we’re in need of additional Allies – both men and women – to offer the care and encouragement these youth may not have had as they’ve traveled through the challenging foster system.”
“We’re often asked what Allies do,” Olsen said in the release. “Our Allies support their youth in any number of ways. This can be with calls and texts to check in on them, getting together with them for coffee or meals, helping them with errands, taking them on outings, offering guidance and generally being a sounding board for their questions or issues.”
She added that FYI’s youth have achieved many of their goals because of the right support system and caring adult Allies, as these youth have never had the traditional support of parents or family in their lives.
Local resident and FYI Ally Sandy Zamudio said in the release: “I feel honored to be a part of my youth’s journey while knowing I am making a positive impact. It is sweet to witness such resilience and growth and also be a part of the FYI family.”
Additional information about Fostering Youth Independence and how to support this organization can be found at www.fyifosteryouth.org.
