Maya Ryan is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento, with a bachelor’s in History and a master’s degree in Public History. She is a former small business owner, and we are thrilled to welcome her as our most recent California Foster Youth Initiative AmeriCorps Member. Maya was born in Israel and moved to the United States in 1982, moving throughout the Bay Area and the Los Angeles area for many years. Maya became independent at age 17 and, ultimately, raised her daughter as a single mother. Mays enjoys connecting with others through empathy and the human experienc ..read more

YOU can make this holiday season brighter for teens from foster care! GivingTuesday is November 28! We know there are many well-deserving local and national organizations to support on this day of global generosity. As we continue to celebrate 5 years of empowering youth from foster care, please join us by giving your time, voice and/or dollars. Your generosity toward our mission will do good today and for years to come. Our research-based services of one-to-one mentoring, positive recreation and life skills education for 13-to-21-year-old youth offer scientifically proven supports that buffer ..read more

Halloween is that magical time of year when pumpkins glow, the air crackles with mystery, and costumes take center stage. While it’s often associated with younger children, teenagers can still have an absolute blast during this spooky season. Here are 9 wickedly cool ways for teens to enjoy Halloween!  Epic Costume Creativity: Teens have a unique advantage when it comes to Halloween costumes. They can dive deep into pop culture, horror movies and their own imaginations to create jaw-dropping costumes. Whether it’s transforming into a beloved movie character, an iconic villain or a clever ..read more

Learning is an everyday, lifelong journey. That’s why a key program element is to offer UPshops. During these fun, hands-on workshops, youth learn side-by-side with their mentors and their peers. They also leave with a keepsake, or item that reinforces what they just learned and helps them continue to practice new skills. Our recent UPshop was not only educational but also very fashionable. Thanks to fellow nonprofit Dress 2 S.O.A.R. (D2S) in partnership with Nordstrom Rack in Roseville, 10 of our youth indulged in a styling and shopping experience. In this fashionable UPshop, we saw shy youth ..read more

We are recruiting a Volunteer Coordinator, through AmeriCorps’ California Foster Youth Initiative Program in partnership with California Volunteers. This awesome individual will earn a living stipend, serving as an AmeriCorps Member but working directly for our program, coordinating recruitment and support services for volunteer mentors. If you have experience in volunteer management, working with diverse communities and a passion to see youth from foster care succeed, this may be the perfect opportunity for you! The Volunteer Coordinator will work closely with our Program Direc ..read more

Our annual Play to Empower FUNdraiser at Topgolf will be on Sunday, September 17! Join us! This event is for everyone — from scratch golfers to those with little to no experience. It kicks off with happy hour that includes a drink and hosted hors d’oeuvres then flows into fun-filled game time. Additional perks include a delicious dinner, Topgolf play, onsite golf pros, contests, raffles, networking and so much more. Event proceeds connect youth from foster care to mentors and resources to thrive! Individuals* 21 years and older can register to play or to attend as a spectator (and get all the ..read more

Faith Martin serves as a California Foster Youth Initiative AmeriCorps Member for Aging UP. She began this role in August 2022 and is responsible for overseeing adulting and life skills support for our 16 and older youth. She also plays a key role in our UPrisers Leadership Group and assists with group events and overall program support. Faith simultaneously works as a server at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, a job she has had for a while now. She is also a dedicated student with less than one year from completing her bachelor’s degree in child and adolescent development in the study of social ..read more

We know there is a big debate on whether teens should trick or treat. We understand there are varying opinions on this debate and strongly encourage you to check out our perspective on helping all ages enjoy a safe and happy Halloween. Teens and Halloween Considerations: The pandemic interrupted holidays and get-togethers. Those who are teens now were recently tweens or big kids and may have missed the fun these past 2 years. Age or size does not equal mental development. A teen in age may be much younger developmentally as trauma and other factors affect development. Costumes may look like e ..read more

We are recruiting an AmeriCorps Member under the California Foster Youth Initiative AmeriCorps Program. This awesome individual will serve as an AmeriCorps Member but work directly with our Program Director as well as our older teens and young adults. If you have experience working with diverse communities and a passion to see youth from foster care succeed, this may be the perfect opportunity for you! The position’s responsibilities include coordinating the Youth Leadership Group, assisting transition-age youth on a one-to-one basis with employment and college opportunities (resume, FASF ..read more

Our annual Play to Empower FUNdraiser is returning as an in-person event on Sunday, September 18 at Topgolf! Join us! Whether you’re an avid golfer or have little to no experience on a golf course, this event is for everyone! It kicks off with happy hour and flows into a fun-filled evening. Additional perks include a delicious BBQ dinner, Topgolf play, onsite golf pros, contests, raffles, networking and so much more. We will be privileged to welcome Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli as our Guest of Honor.  All this fun and, best of all, event proceeds will connect youth from f ..read more