News release
A first-of-its-kind open house is scheduled to be hosted by Fostering Youth Independence on Saturday, giving the Santa Clarita community a chance to learn more about how FYI supports local foster youth who are aging out of the foster care system, equipping them to become successful, independent adults, the nonprofit announced in a news release.
The open house is scheduled 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Fellowship Center at Christ Lutheran Church, 25816 Tournament Road, Valencia.
On hand will be FYI board members, volunteers, staff and foster youth, who will be there to share the organization’s impact. In addition, there will be two short presentations by FYI’s co-founders, at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Coffee and refreshments will be served.
“Our open house will enable interested community members to meet our team, hear about how our work supports local foster youth, and learn how they can make a difference by becoming involved, especially as an Ally,” Carolyn Olsen, FYI’s executive director and co-founder, said in the release.
Allies are adult volunteers who have a unique opportunity to directly impact the lives of Santa Clarita’s transition-age foster youth (age 16-25), the release said. Allies encourage youth and cheer them on as they work to obtain a college degree or trade certificate.
“The upcoming summer season is when we see the number of youth we serve increase, and therefore 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 foster care,” Olsen added. “Becoming an Ally is an important way to make a real difference in the lives of these vulnerable youth. Beyond providing our youth with numerous services to help them on their path to completing an education and gaining employment, we connect each of our youth with an Ally who becomes an important adult figure, and source of inspiration and support, in their lives.”
The next Ally training session is scheduled to be held May 5 at Christ Lutheran Church at 6 p.m. Those interested in attending can email Darlene Allen at [email protected].
More information about FYI is available at www.fyifosteryouth.org.
