Oregon Foster Youth Connection Resource Center coming soon to Portland!

Save the date: Friday, January 27, 2012, is the Grand Opening of the Oregon Foster Youth Connection Resource Center in SE Portland! Visit our Resource Center page for more  information about the facility.

If you want to see the transformation of this space, RSVP to Nicole Stapp, nicole@cffo.org and join us on Friday, January 27th from 4pm-6pm for the OFYC Resource Center Grand Opening.

Light appetizers and beverages will be served and a short program begins at 5:15.

 

 

 

Oaks Park Celebration attended by many

On Thursday, August 11th, members of OFYC, staff of Children First, Representatives Dembrow and Wingard, and many others came together at Oaks Park to celebrate the passage of the Former Foster Youth Tuition Waiver, which was signed by Governor Kitzhaber in July.

 

HB 3471 Passes the House and Senate – on to the Governor!

Great News for Oregon’s Foster Youth!

This week Oregon Senate passed legislation that would ensure Oregon’s foster youth have the resources to obtain a college degree. House Bill 3471 provides the tuition assistance which will make higher education and a better future accessible for Oregon’s foster kids. The Oregon House of Representative passed the bill last week and it now heads to the Governor for final approval.

This is a great outcome for foster youth and a victory for the members of Children First‘s program, Oregon Foster Youth Connection. This group of current and former foster youth shepherded this bill from inception to drafting, through the legislative process, and now to the Governor’s desk.

Now OFYC members and foster kids like Nicole Stapp, a former foster youth and a volunteer cadet with the Salem Police Department, will be able to get a full four-year degree. “I want the chance to succeed,” says Stapp, “I have the grades, now
I know I’ll also have the resources. I can’t wait to be there when the Governor signs this bill!”

This result took a community of people joining efforts. Children First for Oregon thanks you, our friends and supporters, for championing this bill. Every letter, call and email you sent was critical to the success of this bill, and to the future of Oregon’s foster children.

Check out all the media coverage over the past few weeks!

Advocacy Day Has Arrived!

 2011 ADVOCACY DAY

On February 28th, OFYC gathered at the Oregon Capitol to speak with legislators about House Bill 3471, which creates tuition waivers at state and community colleges for youth aging out of foster care (at 18 or 21), as well those who are adopted after the age of 16. In addition, they advocated for the protection and expansion of Independent Living Program Services (ILP). ILP programs are essential to helping youth, on the path to emancipating from foster care with no permanent family, get the support and skills they need to successfully transition to adulthood.

Related Articles

• OFYC Policy Conference a HUGE SUCCESS

OFYC Policy Conference a HUGE SUCCESS

On Monday, October 25th, members of OFYC and other foster youth from around the state presented at the 2010 OFYC Policy Luncheon: We Are Family. If you missed it, you can read the policy recommendations or click here for a .pdf version.

GREAT JOB to those who attended! Nine groups presented different recommendations in the areas of Foster Youth Rights, Independent Living Program Services, and Access to Higher Education.

It wasn’t just all work with no play! Members also had fun with the Pumpkin Carving Contest and Karaoke Competition! Thank you to all who participated in the conference and thank you to all who helped me make it happen!

You’re Invited! OFYC 2010 Policy Conference: We Are Family

[View as PDF]

Current and former foster youth between 14-25 years of age are invited to join 40 other young people from around Oregon for three days of empowerment and fun. This event has been planned by members of the Oregon Foster Youth Connection and will be facilitated by the National Foster Youth Action Network.

OFYC members have chosen three issue areas that attendees will focus on:

• Foster youth rights
• Access to higher education
• Expansion of Independent Living Program Services for youth aging out

Attendees will spend the conference with other young people working on the same topic. Youth will learn what Oregon is doing for their issue, learn how to talk about their personal experiences with that particular issue, and discuss ways to make that part of the foster care system better.

On the third day, youth will break into small groups and   present their recommendations to invited guests that will include public leaders, policy makers, DHS administrators and all community partners who work with the system. Immediately following the recommendations, guests will have the opportunity to have lunch with the youth and have more in-depth discussions about the issues presented that morning.

Members Attend Oregon Teen Conference

Every year, the Independent Living Program teams up with FosterClub and hosts an annual teen conference for foster youth. This year, the FosterClub interns, or “All Stars”, hosted an 80′s Dance for the foster youth, and it turned out to be quite the memorable event!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

OFYC Members Participate in the Sleep Country Pajama Bowl

Every year, Sleep Country organizes a fundraiser which helps over 26,000 children in foster care in the northwest. The Vice President of OFYC was able to organize a team, find transportation, register members and have a great time bowling for the cause! Teams were encouraged to wear matching pajamas, so OFYC teammates created personalized team shirts that they will be able to keep forever. Since this opportunity went so well, OFYC looks forward to participating again next year.