November 2019
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR INVESTING IN ME
Everyday, the Arizona Friends of Foster Children changes the story for children in foster care all over Arizona. Whether you give $10 or $1,000, we are grateful to each of you for allowing us the privilege to change the story to one with a path to a positive ending. The letters we receive everyday, like the one below from LaKeishia, are possible because of you.
I am the second of 10 children and we have never had the opportunity to be involved in extracurricular activities. I now want to try everything!

Thanks to you, I have the volleyball equipment I need and I'm happy to say I love the sport! I've lost 17 pounds and am getting in shape for the first time in my life. I feel so good about myself now.

Life is hard at time still, but great other times. I am so thankful now to be a "real" teenager and have fun doing so many things. Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation truly are friends of foster children. And MY friend.

Love,
LaKeishia
Now's a great time to make your Foster Care Tax Credit Donation to AFFCF. You can get a dollar-for-dollar credit on our Arizona state taxes, up to $500 for individuals and up to $1,000 for couples.
SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT - FAMA
AFFCF is currently funding 81 college students who aged out of foster care and are attending universities and community colleges statewide. This month, we're pleased to introduce Fama, who tells her story in her own words.

My name is Fama and I am originally from Senegal, West Africa. I came from a family of 10 kids, my parents and my siblings are back home. I fell in love with basketball when I was ten, my parents weren’t very supportive because they wanted me to focus on school, to get a real job (such as being a doctor, a nurse, or an engineer). When I was ten, I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t support my basketball dreams, but when I was 16 years old I moved to America and I understood why that dream was unrealistic. I was the smallest kid on my basketball team!

I moved to the United States when I was 16 years old through a basketball scholarship by a group who did not have my best interest. I was a victim of human trafficking. They brought me here to play basketball and go to school, but they ended up not feeding me or taking care of me and my education.

Fortunately, I was taken in by an amazing foster family. They helped me live my American Dream and took me to school to improve my English. My goals are to play basketball and earn a degree in Social Work to return the favor to others foster kids and encourage them not to give up.
AFFCF and YAVAPAI CASA FOR KIDS LAUNCH KEYS TO SUCCESS PROGRAM IN YAVAPAI COUNTY
The Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation has teamed up with Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation in Prescott to bring the Keys to Success program to foster youth in Yavapai County. Officially launched on Monday, October 28, the program provides supportive career development services such as education, employment and personal/independent living goals for youth ages 16 to 24 within the Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation service area.

“We are bringing in a career development specialist to Yavapai County to help implement the Keys to Success tools including database and marketing tools and we look forward forming partnerships with local partners to offer the essential resources needed to make the program a success,” says Kris Jacober, executive director of the AFFCF. “Together we can help the youth in foster care in the area find success and achieve their dreams as they age out of foster care.”
SHARING THE LOVE - SUBARU SUPERSTORE
The Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation is fortunate to have the support of so many corporate friends. Our good friends at Subaru Superstore of Chandler really go out
of their way to help young people in foster care grow, learn new skills and even find employment.

Recently, Subaru Superstore of Chandler hosted a Finals Care Package packing party for youth in AFFCF's college scholarship program. College students who grew up in foster care don't necessarily have anyone to send them care packages during finals week or any other time. Subaru Superstore stepped up to give these young people just a little bit of comfort and care during a stressful time!

AND....AFFCF is one of two local charities selected for Subaru Superstore of Chandler's Share the Love Campaign. Purchase or lease any new Subaru between now and January 2, 2020, and AFFCF can receive a $250 Share the Love donation for each car sold, plus an additional $50 from Subaru Superstore of Chandler. If you're in the market for a new vehicle, you can get a great deal and help kids in foster care by shopping at Subaru Superstore of Chandler.
THE FUN WE FUNDED
Take a quick peek at the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation we served kids in foster care in Arizona in October 2019: