keys to success
As the only program of its kind in Arizona, Keys to Success addresses the unique needs and challenges facing youth transitioning from foster care.
“Keys to Success helped me see that my future can be great. Before I didn’t think I was going to graduate high school. Now I’m planning for a career in the medical field.”
– Victoria
WHY KEYS TO SUCCESS?
Each year approximately 900 youth leave Arizona’s foster care system without families and the opportunities they need to help them succeed. As a result, they are more likely than their peers to drop out of school, become parents before they are ready, experience homelessness, or end up in jail – costly consequences that affect us all.
WHAT WE DO
The goal of Keys to Success is to provide career development services for youth aging out of foster care that lead them to discover their potential and a pathway to living wage employment. Once enrolled in the program, participants work with a team that helps them:
- Identify short and long-term career goals
- Prepare for and secure employment
- Identify and complete education/training that aligns with their career plans
- Develop personal and independent living skills
- Connect to partnering organizations that provide additional services or resources.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To enroll in the Keys to Success program, youth:
- Reside in Maricopa, Pima or Yavapai County
- Can participate if adopted or placed in legal guardianship after age 15
- Has reunified with biological family after age 14
- Was in care at age 18, even if youth did not enter extended foster care
- Must demonstrate a commitment to engage in the career development services provided by their Keys to Success team
- Must sign the youth participation contract that outlines expected commitments, responsibilities and behaviors
Click the Refer a Youth button if you’d like to recommend a youth to Keys to Success.
CHANGE THE STORY FOR YOUTH AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE
There are different ways in which you can assist you transitioning from care to adulthood. Here are just a few:
Refer a Youth
To qualify for the program, youth must be between the ages of 16 and 26 and reside in either Maricopa, Pima or Yavapai County. You can submit your referral here.
Employ a Youth
Keys to Success continually seeks new employment and resource partners to help our youth achieve their goals. Contact Keys to Success program director Diane Daily at ddaily@affcf.org to find out how you can become a Keys to Success partner.
Support Our Work
Not only will your donation support our important work, but it may also qualify for a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit under the Arizona Foster Care Tax Credit. Donate to AFFCF’s Keys to Success program at affcf.org/give.
“This program has helped me by pairing me with mentors and coaches who have connected me to foster care advocacy programs and professionals in the community.'”
– Jesus
2021 PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Enrolled 276 new youth in the program
of participants secured employment within one year of enrollment
of participants retained employment for 30 days or longer
of participants enrolled six months or longer gained in skill or aptitude as demonstrated by increased scores on basic skills assessments or acquisition of certification or course credit
of age-appropriate participants enrolled in post-secondary education or training
At six months from intake 86% of participating youth increased their total Self-Sufficiency Matrix Score.
Meet the Team
Diane Daily
Program Director
I have been with AFFCF and Keys to Success since 2014. My work has focused specifically on the needs of youth in foster care. I believe we can create opportunities for youth in foster care to help them break free of challenges that prevent them from achieving their life goals.
Brenna Bader
Career Development Specialist
I joined Keys to Success in August 2022. My background is in both the education and social work fields. Working with youth in foster care and helping them eliminate barriers are the best parts of my job. Seeing our resilient youth grow into adulthood and achieve their education and career goals is incredibly rewarding.
Stephany Caceres Mejia
Career Development Specialist
I have been with Keys to Success since February 2021. What I love most about what I do is when I am working with youth who don’t believe in themselves, then months later they reflect back on how far they have come to achieve their goals. It’s an amazing thing to witness.
Denisse Daniel
Employment Development Specialist
I began working with Keys to Success in July 2022. I do what I do because I truly believe that a little bit of help can make a world of difference in someone’s life and it’s something that I strive to do every day. Being there for our young people and helping them to be well-informed and prepared on their journey makes me proud to do what I do.
Gail Fidura
Employment Development Specialist
Becky Gutierrez
Resource Specialist
I have been with Keys to Success since March 2019. What I love most about my job is when one of my students accomplishes a goal that they have been working hard on.
Kim Jenkins
Career Development Services Manager
I’ve been with the Keys to Success program since 2015. It’s my privilege to help young people discover their talent and potential so they can create better futures for themselves.
Mike Flanagan
Career Development Specialist
I began working with Keys to Success in March 2022. My background is in Psychology and Public Health. I believe in identifying and breaking down barriers in education, creating community partnerships, and empowering youth to see all that they can be. As a career development specialist, I’m able to serve a diverse group of motivated, talented, inspiring youth, who give me great hope for the future.
Noelle Pee
Employment Development Specialist
I have been with Keys to Success since July 2020. I also work as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology for GateWay Community College. In my free time I love to paint with ink. I’m passionate about helping people find jobs and create life plans for success.
Gloria Petruzzelli
Employment Development Specialist
I have been with Keys to Success since September 2021. What I love most about what I do is helping youth in foster care learn skills to build life experiences as they acquire a job that they will enjoy. It is a joy seeing their smiles at the moment they realize how much they have achieved.
Ciara Quidera Lara
Employment Development Specialist
Madison Poindexter
Career Development Specialist
I have been a part of Keys to Success since June 2020. I love being able to assist my youth with identifying their passions and helping align them to a career pathway that interests them.
Meagan Rothgeb
Employment Development Specialist
I have been part of the KTS team since June 2021. My passion is working with youth because they are just embarking on their journeys into adulthood, and it’s a beautiful thing to watch that potential become something special. They remind me to keep an open mind and constantly teach me new things about my work, the world, and myself.
Krystal Solano Serrano
Career Development Specialist
I have been part of the Keys to Success team since November 2021. I love being able to help our youth obtain the resources and skills needed to achieve their goals, while also being an ongoing support for our youth, families and community partners.
Helene Tonnemacher
Career Development Specialist
I have been part of the Keys to Success team in Yavapai County since October 2019. I love being able to help youth and watch them grow!
Amanda Zhllima
Keys to Financial Success Coordinator
I joined Keys to Success in August 2021, as the coordinator of Keys to Financial Success. I look forward to helping this program grow and improve, with the help of our amazing Keys to Financial Success volunteers.
Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation
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Address: 360 E Coronado Rd Suite 190, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: +1 (602) 252-9445
Email: grants@affcf.org