Friday Favorites

Happy Friday everyone! Here are some of our favorite finds from around the web this week in the world of child welfare, foster care and more.


Favorite Article: Mentoring program helps former foster youth thrive. This SF Gate article paints a great picture of the realities former foster youth face when they go to college and highlights a fabulous scholarship program. This quote made us cry: "Guardian scholars are the ones dropped off on the curb by a taxi or a social worker," Sanchez-Zarama said. "Maybe they get a handshake or a pat on the back, and they are carrying what little they have in a Hefty bag or cardboard box, while everyone else is hugging their parents and waving goodbye." Come on, we can do better than this for our youth! Let's get them permanent connections before they go to college.

Favorite Fundraiser: SNBC's Sunset Soiree. A silent auction with a baseball autographed by San Francisco Giants star Pablo Sandoval, two hosted bars with wine from Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, a tasting from Social Kitchen & Brewery all in support of the Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center? Sign us up quick! We're pretty sure those 25 dollar tickets aren't going to last long.




Favorite Idea: Making Prom Happen for Foster Girls. We've told you before how difficult it is for some foster teens to go to prom because the expense is not provided for in their government reimbursement. Glamour Gowns Giveaway from CASA in L.A. is a deluxe, two-day event that treats girls in foster care like queens as they shop for a free gown to wear to prom. Love it!

Favorite University Program: Youth in Foster Care Get a Chance at University Education.Way to go, University of Winnipeg! Full scholarships and living expenses provided for foster youth. Yes, please!

Favorite Funny: Raise your hand if you can relate to this dog duo.

Have a great weekend, all. We'll catch up with you next week. We have something HUGE to share with you on Monday.

20 Things a Permanent Connection Means to Me...

1) A person that you will be able to talk to for the rest of your life.

2) Having someone or someplace to go to when I need to, at any
time, forever.

3) Someone or something that is there for you through all the good and all the bad.

4) Someone who is able and willing to help us learn the things that we should know, at that time in our lives.

5) A type of connection that will be with you or have permanently.

6) Someone who is there to help with things in my life.

7) Someone that you can trust.

8) A person you can trust that will help you in a time of need. Someone who is there to help me with the things in my life.

9) Someone who helps you reach your full potential.

10) Kicking back with someone that is cool.

11) Someone that is there when I am sad, angry, or just need something.

12) A person that is always there for you.

13) A person that can be there for you when you need a shoulder to lean on, support fi nancially, a home and advice.

14) Having a lasting bond to another individual.

15) Something that is permanent.

16) Being close, trusting someone.

17) Someone that will stay with you through thick and thin.

18) It is a connection that you make with a person, like a soul mate.

19) Someone that you spend that rest of your life knowing.

20) Someone that you stay in touch with.

~ As polled by current and former foster and probation youth ~ Fresno County Dept. of Children & Family Services - California Permanency For Youth Project Initiative