FYI provides Santa Clarita Valley’s transition age foster youth (age 16 to 25) with necessary services, support and resources to make sure they can access educational opportunities and reach their goals.
Our services include:
- Assigning each youth a caring adult volunteer Ally to provide encouragement and moral support.
- Helping youth set and achieve goals in areas such as education, employment, housing, finances, health, and transportation.
- Assisting youth with college applications, enrollment, and class registration.
- Assisting youth without a high school diploma to complete a high school equivalency program.
- Helping youth complete the FAFSA (federal student aid) and other financial aid applications.
- Referring youth to resources for food, housing, health, mental health, vision, dental, employment, transportation, and other needs.
- Providing emergency financial assistance when an unexpected expense, such as a car repair, threatens to derail a youth’s educational plans.
- Offering events throughout the year where the youth can connect with other youth and their Allies to create a sense of community and a network of support.
- Providing a program called “The Study Place” for online learning support and tutoring.
- Supplying backpacks and school supplies.
- Providing gifts during the holiday season through a community wish list sponsorship program.
- Offering a “Ready, Set, Drive!” program to assist youth in obtaining their driver’s licenses.
- Providing a bimonthly group therapy program called “C.H.A.T.”
- Offering “Money Matters” one-on-one financial counseling sessions.
- Equipping youth to break the cycle of woundedness from unhealthy relationships through a program called ReNew.
- Providing youth with household goods, home furnishings and study tools when they move into a new place.
“The impact FYI has on the lives of young people exiting foster care into independence is not just remarkable, it’s transformative. Considering their modest budget, their depth of programming is best in class. Investing in FYI isn’t just a donation, it’s a powerful contribution that will be stretched and maximized to ensure that young people in our community are equipped with the skills, resources, and community to thrive against the odds. This work is a testament to the incredible difference a small community can make with intentional leadership focused purely on service and impact. It’s one of the top philanthropic experiences I’ve ever had as a donor and volunteer. I’m honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to serve such an incredible organization.”
Amanda Sattler, CFRE
FYI Ally, Donor, & Advisory Board Member