Jamie is an amazing 19-year-old young lady in Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation’s Keys to Success program. When she first enrolled in Keys to Success, severe anxiety kept her from fully engaging in meetings with her Keys team. Together, we decided it was best to give her the space to focus on her mental health.
Reaching Out
Last July, Jamie reached out to her career development specialist (CDS) to re-engage with services. She wanted to take advantage of the Fostering Futures Scholarship opportunity with Grand Canyon University.
The deadline to apply was approaching quickly so Jamie and her CDS spent four consecutive days working on all the tasks necessary to complete the scholarship application. They met with an advisor, completed the ETV and FAFSA applications, as well as complete enrollment process. Through it all, Jamie exhibited a fierce determination to meet her goals.
Making a Backup Plan
Although she received the scholarship, a decision was made to put her on deferment for the Fall 2022 semester. Jamie and her CDS discussed the possibility of this happening and had a backup plan to attend Yavapai College in Fall 2022 and GCU in the Spring 2023 semester.
She’s doing great! In addition to attending Yavapai College, Jamie currently volunteers at a dog training facility. She trains dogs to help people with anxiety, something very personal to her. Giving her the space to work on her goals at her own pace has allowed Jamie to discover her potential and see what is possible. She’s well on her way to do great things, and we are here for it!
Successful Transitions
Established in 2014, AFFCF’s Keys to Success program addresses an unmet need in the community to provide youth transitioning from foster care with intensive, individualized career, education and employment development services. It is the only program of its kind in Arizona, designed to specifically address the challenges youth in foster care experience when struggling to make a successful transition to adulthood.
You can support the work of the Keys to Success program by making a contribution to Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation. Individuals can contribute up to $500 and joint filers can contribute up to $1,000 and receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on their Arizona state taxes. Give today at affcf.org/give.