News release
Fostering Youth Independence recently held its annual Back-to-School Bash & Career Fair to celebrate the start of the new school year and help local foster youth get school-ready with a backpack and supplies, plus hear from several local businesspeople about their jobs and opportunities in a variety of fields.
The yearly event is meant to underscore FYI’s main focus, which is helping foster youth pursue a secondary education or professional certificate, key to unlocking the doors to a successful future, the local nonprofit organization said in a news release.
Approximately 140 youth and their Allies started the evening with a taco dinner before hearing from six presenters who shared insights about their professions, as well as introducing the youth to new careers they may not have considered.
The presenters included Josh Rivas, hair stylist and salon owner of Tribute Beauty Lounge; Vannessa Zanders, an occupational therapist with Glendale Adventist Hospital; Susan Kasdorf, a speech and language pathologist with her own practice; Caroline Witherly, a food science and nutrition consultant with Technical Products Inc.; Ramon Garcia, a general contractor with Parkview Management and Development; and Sean Velasquez, a firefighter with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
“After we interviewed our panel of professionals, the youth were encouraged to visit at least three of them at their tables,” Carolyn Olsen, FYI’s executive director and co-founder, said in the release. “One youth was excited to tell me that she spent the most time with the food scientist. She had recently received her certification in culinary arts, and her advisor encouraged her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in food science. Being able to talk to someone in this field was especially motivating for her.”
Following the career portion of the evening, the youth received backpacks, school supplies, and food and household supplies. The supplies included donations from Christ Church SCV, the Knights of Columbus, The Sanctuary Church and Christ Lutheran Church.
One of the presenters, Rivas, said in the release: “The back-to-school event was pure joy – seeing their beautiful faces, hearing their stories, and being able to share a little about my career and how it could be a path for them, was truly exhilarating.”
Further information about Fostering Youth Independence can be found at www.fyifosteryouth.org.
