Philip Bailey of “earth, wind & fire” endorses the Action Network

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

Posted in NFYAN | Comments closed

CYC Welcomes New Chapters

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.

Posted in California | Comments closed

Mississippi Joins the Action Network

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.

Posted in Mississippi, NFYAN | Comments closed

Action Network expands to the South

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.

Posted in Virginia | Comments closed

Advocacy Day at the Capitol in Oregon a Huge Success

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.

Posted in Oregon | Comments closed