FYI Hosts Beach Day for Local Foster Youth
Dozens of youth gather for fun day in the sun, offering reprieve from stresses of foster life
SANTA CLARITA (August 9, 2024) – Winding down the summer with a day of friendship, surf and sunshine, several dozen local foster youth recently enjoyed a day at the beach thanks to non-profit Fostering Youth Independence, which gave the youth a chance to escape from the stresses of foster life.
Enjoying a day in the sun in Oxnard, the youth and chaperones feasted on subs and snacks, relaxed on the beach, played spikeball and volleyball, swam in the surf, participated in a sandcastle building competition, and ended with dinner at Toppers in Oxnard Harbor.
“This was a wonderful day where new friendships were formed, and, importantly, the FYI network was strengthened,” said Carolyn Olsen, FYI’s executive director and co-founder. “We aim to create a community of support for these youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster system without being adopted or reunited with their birth families.”
She continued, “the purpose of this day was to build teamwork among the youth and increase their ability to trust others, offer youth the opportunity to form stronger connections with other foster youth, establish a support system that is vital for their emotional and academic success, and empower them to identify their strengths and build confidence.”
She explained that in addition to offering encouragement and support to the youth as they pursue a post-high school education, FYI hosts various social, networking and enrichment activities throughout the year. “The lives of foster youth are full of challenges, and we want to remove roadblocks to them becoming successful, independent adults.
“And offering these youth a reprieve from the stresses of foster life was a key component of our beach day,” she said. Olsen further mentioned that one of the youth validated the specialness of the getaway, remarking to her coordinator that “I just want to close my eyes and remember this day!”
L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office donated the charter bus so the youth could ride to Oxnard in air-conditioned comfort, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints generously provided beach towels, games, sand toys and snacks, and Firehouse Subs Creekside provided a substantial discount on lunch for the outing.
“We’re so thankful for the partners in our community who’ve chosen to support these vulnerable youth,” said Olsen.
Further information about Fostering Youth Independence and how to support this organization can be found on www.fyifosteryouth.org.
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About Fostering Youth Independence (FYI)
FYI is the largest Santa Clarita-based nonprofit supporting local foster youth who have aged out of the L.A. County foster care system without being adopted or reunified with their birth parents. FYI addresses the serious challenges faced by these youth, which include not finishing high school or pursuing higher education, homelessness, and incarceration. FYI offers local foster youth numerous resources to help overcome past traumas, complete an education, gain employment, and become successful, independent adults.
FYI currently serves 76 transition age (16-25 years) foster youth in the Santa Clarita Valley and has supported 177 local youth since its inception in 2017. It assigns each youth a caring adult volunteer Ally and a coordinator to help them set and achieve goals in areas such as education, employment, housing, finances, health, transportation, assistance with college applications, enrollment and class registration, and referrals to resources for food, housing, health, mental health, and employment. It also provides emergency financial assistance when an unexpected expense such as a car repair threatens to derail a youth’s educational plans. FYI offers The Study Place for learning support and tutoring, a Ready, Set Drive! program to assist youth in obtaining their drivers license, a monthly ReNew life coaching session, personalized Money Matters financial literacy education, hosts events throughout the year where the youth can connect with other youth and Allies to create a community of support, and partners with College of the Canyons for referrals and counseling. It also provides school supplies, holiday gifts and household items for youth moving into new homes with few possessions.
Website: www.fyifosteryouth.org
Instagram: @fyifosteryouth
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fyifosteryouth
Contact:
Carolyn Olsen
Co-founder and Executive Director
colsen@fyifosteryouth.org
(661) 360-1500 ext. 700