News release
Fostering Youth Independence recently held its 10th 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 post-secondary education or professional certificate, key to unlocking the doors to a successful future, said a news release from the local nonprofit organization.
Approximately 140 youth and their Allies started the evening with a taco dinner before hearing from six career presenters who shared insights about their professions, as well as introducing the youth to new careers they may not have considered.
The presenters included Sydney Carzola (court reporter), Sue Wilkin (physical therapist), Dani Mickel (director of in-flight services), Lauren Lawton (corporate entertainment, television distribution), Darlene Parada (interior designer, global enterprise program manager) and Marcus Garrett (school principal).
“After we interviewed our panel of professionals, the youth were encouraged to visit at least three of them at their tables to ask questions and further explore the career,” Carolyn Olsen, FYI’s executive director and co-founder, said in the release.
Following the career portion of the evening, the youth were able to pick out new supplies and essentials including backpacks (donated by MillerKnoll employees), school supplies (donated by The Sanctuary Church and Trail Life Troop 4110), and food and household supplies (donated by St. Stephens Church and the Knights of Columbus). “We are also so grateful to Christ Lutheran Church for hosting FYI, to our amazing events team, and the wonderful volunteers from All Nations Church for helping to make the evening such a success,” Olsen added.
FYI is a foster youth support organization in Santa Clarita, whose mission is to support and guide local foster youth aging out of the foster care system to achieve a post-secondary education. Each youth is paired with a volunteer Ally, who has the opportunity to directly impact their life by providing encouragement and support, the release said.
FYI is scheduled to hold an orientation and training session for those interested in becoming Allies on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 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]. Additional information about Fostering Youth Independence can be found at www.fyifosteryouth.org.
