SAFY Commemorates May as National Foster Care Month

Written By Kristy Brown, MPA, GPC

Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth of America, Inc. (SAFY of America) commemorates National Foster Care Month this May. We’re joining the Children’s Bureau to honor this year’s theme, “Engaging Youth. Building Supports. Strengthening Opportunities.” At SAFY, we know how important it is to empower young people in foster care, help them build strong relationships, and get the support they need from their community.

Here’s what SAFY is doing to help:

  1. Giving Youth a Voice:  Every youth in foster care deserves to have a say in their future. We make sure they are heard and respected, not just for their basic needs but for their dreams, ideas, and future.

  2. Holistic Approach: We consider everything that affects the lives of the youth we serve—physical, emotional, educational, and cultural needs. Everyone is different, and we celebrate it, making sure every youth feels seen, valued, and understood.

  3. Building Strong Relationships and Communities:  Having people who care about you is critical for all youth, especially those experiencing foster care. We work with youth to build relationships with supportive adults like foster parents, family members, mentors, and friends who can provide healthy guidance and belonging.

  4. Acknowledging Disparities: Recognizing that many communities face disparities within the child welfare system is crucial. Race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender identity, and cultural background can significantly impact whether a family becomes involved in the system. We commit to dismantling these inequities and ensuring every family is treated fairly, and every youth receives equitable care.

Here’s how you can help:

  1. Advocate:  We urge policymakers, educators, and community leaders to prioritize the needs of youth in foster care. Let’s advocate for policies promoting stability, educational opportunities, and mental health support.

  2. Educate:  Knowledge is power. We encourage everyone to learn about foster care and understand the challenges faced by families within the child welfare system. Education leads to empathy and informed action.

  3. Support:  Whether through volunteering, mentoring, donating, or fostering, everyone can contribute. Let’s build a network of support that uplifts youth and provides them with the tools they need to thrive.

As we celebrate National Foster Care Month, let’s promise to look out for each other and give every youth the love and support they deserve. To learn more about how you can help, visit www.safy.org.

Kristy Brown, MPA, GPC

With over two decades of experience in the human service sector, Kristy is driven by a deep passion for creating lasting social impact. Her expertise in program development, communications, and grant acquisition has enabled programs to scale and have a more profound effect on our communities. Kristy holds a unique perspective having worked at all levels of the child welfare field from direct service provision, marketing, development, and leading programs providing a strong knowledge of the issues facing the field. As the Communications Director for SAFY of America, she firmly believes engaging and inspiring storytelling is at the heart of meaningful change and strives to offer transformative work for the youth and families served.

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Ensuring Connections to Strengthen Permanency