May is National Foster Care Month!!

"All children deserve a safe, happy life — including the 496,000 American children and youth in foster care. Young people in foster care especially need nurturing adults on their side because their own families are in crisis and unable to care for them.

Each May, we salute the compassionate people who make a difference by serving as foster parents, relative caregivers, mentors, advocates, social workers, and volunteers. Thanks to these unsung heroes, many formerly abused or neglected children and teens will either safely reunite with their parents, be cared for by relatives, or be adopted by loving families.

But some children in foster care are less fortunate. Most communities across the country are urgently seeking more everyday people to help these youth overcome their troubled childhoods and realize their full potential. No matter what their age, every young person in foster care benefits from a meaningful connection to a caring adult who becomes a supportive and lasting presence in his or her life.

Take a closer look at the number and diversity of people who were once in foster care. It might surprise you. In fact, there are an estimated 12 million foster care alumni in the U.S. representing all walks of life. Behind this startling statistic are countless stories of children who grew up to be thriving adults while others struggled with life’s challenges all alone. The difference between triumph and tragedy will become very clear as you read about these foster care alumni. Success stories come about when someone takes the time to offer comfort, provide support, give advice, or simply share a milestone moment with a youngster enduring a difficult family situation.

Now is the time to get involved. No matter how much time you have to give, you have the power to do something positive that will Change a Lifetime for a young person in foster care."

for information on how to get involved, visist http://www.fostercaremonth.org

The Impact of the Economic Crisis on Foster Care!

The United States foster care system was in a bad financial condition even before the current economic crisis. Last fall the Washington Post reported that “in nearly every state… the cost of providing basic care for a foster child exceeds the government's foster-care reimbursement rate.” Researchers at the University of Maryland, who conducted the study, factored in basic needs such as food and clothing. The ensuing economic crisis has likely halted plans for any future government increase in funding for children currently in foster care."

To read more of this article, please visist
http://www.fosterclub.com/article/impact-economic-crisis-foster-care

Attention Graduating Seniors- Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards- Deadline is March 14!!

The Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards run annually from January through July and honor young Latino leaders with grants for their college education. Applications are open to graduating high school seniors who maintain an un-weighted 3.0 GPA. Award categories include Business, Education (future teachers), Engineering and Mathematics, Journalism, and Sports. Additional categories may be added, so please check back. For specific questions, please consult our FAQs.
The Awards are divided into twelve different regions across the country: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Jose/San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, Chicago, Miami, New York, Philadelphia/New Jersey, and Washington, DC. Students may apply to as many categories as they wish within any one region (and only one) regardless of where they live provided that they can attend the regional recognition ceremony.
Three recipients are selected for each category (Gold, Silver and Bronze Medallion) in each of the twelve regions. Special recognition ceremonies are held with local business, education and community leaders to pay tribute to their accomplishments. Gold Medallion recipients are eligible for an additional $5,000 educational grant, a laptop computer, and an all expense paid trip to attend the Hispanic Heritage Awards in Washington, DC.

Writing Competition for Foster Youth- Winner gets a trip to DC!!

WRITING COMPETITION OPEN TO FOSTER YOUTH
Winners Receive Free Trip to Washington, DC

Write an entry for the Second Nationwide Essay Contest sponsored by the Campaign for U.S. Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

350-500 word essay submissions will be accepted through March 20, 2009. Students of junior high or high school age may apply.

Five winners will be chosen and will receive airfare and accommodations for him/herself and one parent/legal guardian/foster parent to participate in the Campaign’s June 1-2, 2009 Symposium at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC.

The Instruction Kit and Application are available for download on the Campaign’s Web Site at --
http://www.childrightscampaign.org/crcindex.php?sNav=youth_snav.php&sDat=youth_dat.php
(look under Contest Materials).

Resource of the Month: Casey Life Skills Resources

Here you will find free and easy to use tools to help young people prepare for adulthood. Go to the Casey Life Skills Website at caseylifeskills.org, click on Resources and then click on Resources for ACLSA Guidebook and then click on Free Web Resources to access helpful information that includes budgeting, finding legal help, using credit, sexual orientation, how to vote, safety and nutrition, and much much more!!

Resource of the Month: Orphan Foundation of America

Founded in 1981, the Orphan Foundation of America (OFA) serves thousands of foster teens across the United States. Whether we're providing them with college scholarships, connecting them with mentors and internships, sending them care packages, or testifying before Congress, OFA is a passionate champion of foster youth.
Each year 25,000 young people "age out" of the foster care system. We're committed with our partners and sponsors to help foster teens become tomorrow's productive good citizens. We're working to maximize support for their post-secondary education goals and mobilize the community at large to assist them.
OFA is bricks and mortar and a special place in the hearts of many. Our scholars, alumni, donors, volunteers and youth care workers recognize the uniqueness of its work and think of it as a place where they belong.
The photos of young adults on these pages are not of models, but real students from OFA's extended family, who have been gracious enough to share their lives and stories with the public. We're proud of our students; they fulfill our mission, and their success represents the best form of "payback" to OFA sponsors and supporters.

APPLY FOR THIS GRANT!!!!

This Grant Called the "Neighborhood Excellence Initiative" is located on the Bank of America website http://www.bankofamerica.com/neighborhoodexcellence

Neighborhood Excellence Initiative®



We have long held the belief that a healthy community is a healthy place to do business. To be successful, we are committed to creating real impact in those places where we live, work, and do business. That’s why we developed the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, our signature philanthropic program, which recognizes, nurtures, and rewards community -based organizations, local heroes and student leaders working to improve their communities. We focus on areas such as: education, community development/ neighborhood preservation, arts and culture, and health and human services. In order to address critical neighborhood needs, we work with local community leaders to identify economic and social priorities, and the visionaries working to sustain, strengthen and grow our communities. Together, we can create healthy, vibrant neighborhoods where all of us can pursue our dreams.

Neighborhood Builders™We fund $200,000 (or local market currency equivalent) for operating support to 2 nonprofit/charitable organizations in each of45 markets. Apply to be a Neighborhood Builder

Local Heroes™We donate $5,000 (or local market currency equivalent) to an eligible charitable nonprofit/charitable organizations, selected by each of 5 Local Heroes in 45 markets. Nominate yourself or another Local Hero

Student Leaders®Five high school juniors and seniors in 45 markets participate in a leadership summit in Washington, DC and a paid internship with a local nonprofit/charitable organization. Apply to be a Student Leader