Fostering Youth Independence (FYI), a Santa Clarita non-profit, ended the summer with its annual Big Bear retreat designed to create camaraderie among the organization’s local foster youth.
As an annual tradition intending to bring Santa Clarita foster youth together prior to the upcoming school year, the 2021 retreat welcomed youth, volunteers and FYI leaders for camping and relationship-building, according to FYI.
“This is a time for our youth to meet each other and develop relationships, learn some new skills, visit a place they’ve never been before, and be inspired by the beautiful setting and shared conversations,” said Carolyn Olsen, FYI’s executive director and co-founder.
During the retreat, Joseph Shane, one of the organization’s volunteer allies and a former foster youth discussed his own journey rising up from adversity to become “who you want to be.”
“You have more impact on us than you know,” said one of the foster youths following Shane’s presentation. “Your story helped me in ways I never knew could help.”
After the retreat, the youth shared their favorite part about the FYI camping experience which included “swimming in the lake and the connection to nature,” “being able to have connections with people I haven’t met,” “being around individuals like me,” and “campfire vibes and showing off at archery.”
“I had a great time with everyone and can’t wait for more retreats like this one,” said another foster youth.
“We’re thrilled that the youth were so enthusiastic about their retreat experience,” Olsen said. “Our goal is to get these youth out of their everyday environment and expose them to new friends, new experiences and inspiration to continue their education and be the productive adults we know they can be.”
The retreat was funded by a family foundation who wishes to remain anonymous. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Santa Clarita, donated all of the sleeping bags, flashlights, snacks, craft supplies and hygiene kits, according to FYI.
“We’re incredibly thankful for the supporters who helped to make our retreat so successful,” Olsen said.
FYI supports Santa Clarita’s transition age foster youth ages 16 to 25 with needed resources as they age out of the foster system and work to complete a post-secondary education to prepare to become successful, independent adults, according to FYI.
Each youth is also paired with a caring adult ally, who provides support and encouragement as they join with FYI to change their youth’s life and overcome the cycle of challenges that are endemic to foster youth.
“Supporting and encouraging foster youth to get a secondary education is key to FYI’s mission, given the discouraging statistic that only 55 percent of foster youth graduate from high school,” Olsen explained.
Statistically, outcomes for former foster youth are poor, with half becoming homeless or incarcerated within two years of aging out of the system. Only four percent go on to earn a bachelor’s degree, and rates of unemployment and poverty are high, according to FYI.
The organization welcomes donations to support their work with foster youth, and these can be submitted by clicking here or by contacting FYI directly at (661) 360-1500.
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