National Foster Youth Action Network http://www.fosteryouthaction.org foster youth transforming themselves into powerful leaders and advocates Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:11:46 +0000 en hourly 1 Huffington Post features the Action Network, our state program partners, and the foster youth led advocacy movement http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2012/02/huffington-post-features-the-action-network-our-state-program-partners-and-the-foster-youth-led-advocacy-movement/ http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2012/02/huffington-post-features-the-action-network-our-state-program-partners-and-the-foster-youth-led-advocacy-movement/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:08:43 +0000 Janet http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/?p=471 read more >]]> Huffington Post
Diamonique Mockingbird

Diamonique Walker, 19, of Mockingbird Society, leading youth at last year's Youth Advocacy Day. Photo Credit: Jerry Davis Photography

This article is a milestone: the first national media piece on the Action Network and how foster youth leaders across the United States are building their own movement to fix the broken foster care system. You’ll be inspired by stories from our program partners in California Youth Connection and Oregon Foster Youth Connection and youth in Washington. Find out from youth how it feels to discover their voices for the first time, be recognized as experts by the legislators who make foster care policy, and win major victories. Powerful!

]]> http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2012/02/huffington-post-features-the-action-network-our-state-program-partners-and-the-foster-youth-led-advocacy-movement/feed/ 0 Personal story of Mitch Findley, Action Network training team member http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2012/01/personal-story-of-mitch-findley-action-network-training-team-member/ http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2012/01/personal-story-of-mitch-findley-action-network-training-team-member/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:09:51 +0000 Janet http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/?p=485 read more >]]>
Mitch Findley

Mitch Findley, assistant director and co-founder of VOICES. Jorgen Gulliksen/Register

In this story in the Napa Valley Register, you’ll meet Mitch Findley, age 24. Mitch spent four years in the foster care system in Napa, CA and is now devoting his life to empowering other foster youth. Hear about his journey from shy young person to co-founder and assistant director of VOICES, a group that helps emancipating youth in Napa find jobs and housing, and why he decided to become a leader.

]]> http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2012/01/personal-story-of-mitch-findley-action-network-training-team-member/feed/ 0 Welcome, Nebraska! http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/08/welcome-nebraska/ http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/08/welcome-nebraska/#comments Sat, 20 Aug 2011 22:30:42 +0000 Janet http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/?p=419 read more >]]> Map of US featuring the state of NebraskaThe Action Network is pleased to announce our newest Program Partner, the Nebraska Foster Youth Council (NFYC). NFYC has been in existence since 2002 and has accomplished a tremendous amount to improve the lives of foster youth in Nebraska. National Training Team Member, Mitch Findley met with the Leadership Council in April to brainstorm about their goals and will return in November to finalize the planning for our 2012 training program. Welcome NFYC – we’re excited to have you with us!

]]> http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/08/welcome-nebraska/feed/ 0 Foster Youth “Shout Out” Training in Virginia http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/07/foster-youth-%e2%80%9cshout-out%e2%80%9d-training-in-virginia/ http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/07/foster-youth-%e2%80%9cshout-out%e2%80%9d-training-in-virginia/#comments Sun, 31 Jul 2011 22:28:42 +0000 Janet http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/?p=417 read more >]]> Virginia conducts a “Youth Shout Out”The Action Network trainers trained 50 Virginia youth from all 5 regions on how to conduct a “Youth Shout Out” in their region later this fall. A “Shout Out” event gives youth in that region an opportunity to identify issues they are passionate about and make specific policy recommendations on how to make improvements in those areas. Each region is now preparing for their “Shout Out” and the Action Network trainers will be providing coaching and resources to help them accomplish their goals.

]]> http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/07/foster-youth-%e2%80%9cshout-out%e2%80%9d-training-in-virginia/feed/ 0 The Action Network plants seeds in West Virginia http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/07/the-action-network-plants-seeds-in-west-virginia/ http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/07/the-action-network-plants-seeds-in-west-virginia/#comments Sat, 30 Jul 2011 22:25:00 +0000 Janet http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/?p=414 read more >]]> Training team member Nicole Demedenko Lehman was invited by the WV Chafee Foster Care
Independence Program to present to their annual Youth Transitioning Conference to introduce the Action Network and see if the youth would be interested in joining. The presentation was a big success and we are looking forward to further conversations with them this fall about joining the Network!

]]> http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/07/the-action-network-plants-seeds-in-west-virginia/feed/ 0 Philip Bailey of “earth, wind & fire” endorses the Action Network http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/06/philip-bailey-of-earth-wind-fire-endorses-the-action-network/ http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/06/philip-bailey-of-earth-wind-fire-endorses-the-action-network/#comments Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:20:17 +0000 Janet http://nfyan.aponeurotica.com/?p=191 read more >]]> Philip BaileyThe National Foster Youth Action Network is thrilled to announce that national and international recording star Philip Bailey, whose musical accomplishments include forty years with the legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire and innumerable successful solo musical endeavors, has forged a partnership with the Action Network to be our national spokesperson. Mr. Bailey is also launching a new foundation, Music Is Unity. We are deeply grateful to Mr. Bailey for his compassion and his commitment to improving the lives of foster youth, especially as they exit care.

Music Is Unity Foundation is proud to partner with the National Foster Youth Action Network to empower foster youth and to inspire individuals to take action to improve the lives of foster youth. I believe when foster youth come into the system, we all have a responsibility to ensure that they have quality lives and have the same opportunities that we want for our own children. Foster youth are struggling. We can all take action to help.”
– Philip Bailey

]]> http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/06/philip-bailey-of-earth-wind-fire-endorses-the-action-network/feed/ 0 CYC Welcomes New Chapters http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/06/cyc-welcomes-new-chapters/ http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/06/cyc-welcomes-new-chapters/#comments Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:35:19 +0000 Janet http://nfyan.aponeurotica.com/?p=321 read more >]]> Our California Program Partner California Youth Connection is proud to announce that they are growing! They welcome the following new chapters to the CYC family: Mariposa, Napa/Sonoma, Santa Barbara and Yolo. That now brings CYC to a total of 33 county-based chapters.

]]> http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/06/cyc-welcomes-new-chapters/feed/ 0 Mississippi Joins the Action Network http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/05/mississippi-joins-the-action-network/ http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/05/mississippi-joins-the-action-network/#comments Sun, 01 May 2011 22:05:52 +0000 Janet http://nfyan.aponeurotica.com/?p=210 read more >]]> Fostering Mississippi Youth ConnectionsThe Action Network’s newest program partner is CASA Mississippi which is the sponsoring agency for the new Fostering Mississippi Youth Connections (FMYC). CASA Mississippi, FMYC and the Action Network are in the process of recruiting youth and organizing a kick-off event that will include team building activities by the Action Network training team and information about the launching of FMYC. CASA Mississippi is based in Gulfport and will initially focus recruitment in that area and will gradually expand the group statewide.

]]> http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/05/mississippi-joins-the-action-network/feed/ 0 Action Network expands to the South http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/03/action-network-expands-to-sout/ http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/03/action-network-expands-to-sout/#comments Mon, 07 Mar 2011 22:26:17 +0000 Janet http://nfyan.aponeurotica.com/?p=6 read more >]]> We are pleased to welcome the Virginia Youth Advisory Council as our fourth program partner! This new statewide organization coordinates five regional councils advocating on behalf of Virginia’s 6,712 foster youth. The Action Network is helping youth leaders create a strong permanent infrastructure and build their advocacy skills so they can bring foster youth voices to policy issues at the local, regional and state levels. Our next training is March 19th.

]]> http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/03/action-network-expands-to-sout/feed/ 0 Advocacy Day at the Capitol in Oregon a Huge Success http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/03/2011-advocacy-day/ http://www.fosteryouthaction.org/2011/03/2011-advocacy-day/#comments Tue, 01 Mar 2011 22:31:09 +0000 Janet http://nfyan.aponeurotica.com/?p=65 read more >]]> March 2011 Policy Issues PosterIn February, after two days of training by the National Foster Youth Action Network training team, OFYC members had 20 individual meetings with Oregon legislators to ask for their support for two bills that would give foster youth free college tuition. They also advocated for greater access to services that prepare youth to succeed as they transition out of foster care and become independent adults. Currently, only 40% of Oregon’s eligible foster youth receive ILP services. OFYC members want to change that. OFYC members know their voices matter in the halls of power: last year they won a major health care victory for foster youth. They now intend to build on that success.

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