May 2022
May is National Foster Care Awareness Month and AFFCF thanks all the foster parents who open their hearts and their homes for children who need it most. We see you and appreciate all you do for children in foster care.

To recognize foster families, DCS, along with community partners, is providing deals and freebies just for you. A special family event is coming up on Saturday, May 14 at the Arizona Science Center in downtown Phoenix. With help from AFFCF, Arizona Science Center is providing 1,000 complimentary general admission tickets (limit 4 per family) to foster families across the state, along with discounted admission all month long.

Click the button below to see all the details and other great deals in May for foster families.
CELEBRATING OUR GRADUATES
Roughly 33% of youth in foster care will graduate from high school in Arizona and even less, about three percent, will graduate from college, community college or vocational school. Between our Keys to Success and post-secondary education programs, AFFCF is pleased to say that we have 106 young people set to graduate this spring.

From the Keys to Success program, 93 youth have graduated with a high school diploma, GED, industry certification or from a university from schools around the Valley and in the Prescott area.

Fifteen young men and women, including two Keys to Success participants, have graduated with degrees from schools including University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, Phoenix College, Central Arizona College, University of California – San Diego and Missouri State University – West Plains.

With the help of the #LoveUp Foundation, AFFCF will honor the accomplishments of these young men and women with a graduation celebration in June. Congratulations to all our graduates – they’re already on a path to a brighter future!
MEET THE BOARD
Alexis Celani has been a member of the AFFCF board of directors since 2017 and currently serves as the chair of the scholarship committee. We asked her what she has learned about foster care during her tenure:

"Since joining the AFFCF Board of Directors, I learned how important it is to eliminate barriers to everyday experiences for youth in foster care. It’s difficult for any young person to deal with the many changes and challenges of growing up. But foster care youth face additional barriers, whether it’s lack of funds or support. We need to enable foster care youth to have everyday experiences to help make the critical transition into adulthood."
PUTTING THE "CARE" IN CARE PACKAGES
As the end of the semester approaches, the AFFCF Scholarship program (with the help of our many supporters!) provides extra encouragement to students in college! 

As in past semesters, the Subaru Superstore of Chandler offered their showroom to host a "packing party" and provided valuable financial support toward the cost of the care packages! At the suggestion of a student, AFFCF sent out a care package survey earlier in the semester, so these care packages were more individualized and personal based on student responses! Special thanks to AFFCF Scholarship Committee volunteer Becky Oeltjenbruns for donating requested items! 

From writing notes of encouragement to contributing items to packing 107 care packages, Subaru, AFFCF, and National Charity League volunteers' caring efforts make such a difference! There was a total of 109 care packages, including two that AFFCF sent earlier to two NAU students studying abroad in the UK and Switzerland! 

Thank you to Subaru, National Charity League, and all our volunteers for making a difference! We truly appreciate that you put the "care" into the care packages! As an ASU student noted upon receiving hers, "I appreciate the love and the care each care package has!"
THANK YOU, SUBARU!
Subaru Superstore of Chandler has been a champion for youth in foster care over the years, as a founding funder of the Keys to Success program. Their financial and hands-on support of Keys to Success and the care package program for our AFFCF scholars have made a difference in the lives of countless young men and women transitioning from foster care to adulthood.

Last month, AFFCF was presented with a check for $75,000 from Subaru's annual Share The Love campaign. We are forever grateful for everyone at Subaru and their unwavering support of youth in foster care - thank you!