A multi-year grant in support of the Keys to Success program,
aimed at helping youth aging out of foster care.
PHOENIX, July 10,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Bob & Renee
Parsons Foundation has generously awarded Arizona Friends of Foster
Children (AFFCF) a multi-year grant totaling $375,000 in support of the Keys to Success
program, aimed at helping youth aging out of foster care. There are
nearly 10,000 children in Arizona's foster care system with
approximately 900 youth aging out of the system every year.
Every child should have the right to find
their own path and pursue their dreams," said Bob Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee
Parsons Foundation. "Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation
is helping foster youth discover the best version of
themselves."
President and CEO of AFFCF, Luis De La
Cruz states, "This long-term investment and partnership with
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation serves as an enabling force
to help us change the story of foster care in Arizona."
"Providing support to AFFCF means foster youth are getting an
opportunity to pursue a career or education," said Bob Parsons, co-founder, The Bob & Renee
Parsons Foundation. "This population is oftentimes overlooked and
can end up dropping out of school, experiencing homelessness, or
even spending time in jail. We want to help them discover their
potential and earn a livable wage."
"Every child should have the right to find their own path and
pursue their dreams," said Bob
Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons
Foundation. "Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation is
helping foster youth discover the best version of themselves."
Keys to Success is the gold standard of individualized
person-centered support in Arizona, focused on employment, education,
housing, and financial literacy for youth aging out of the foster
care system. In 2024, Keys to Success will serve 350 youth across
three counties in Arizona
(Maricopa, Yavapai, and Pima). The goal of Keys to Success is to help
youth aging out of foster care achieve self-sufficiency that leads
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 life skills and build upon personal interests.
- Connect to partnering organizations that provide additional
services or resources.
"Keys to Success helped me see that my future can be great,"
says Victoria, a Keys to Success
program participant. "Before, I didn't think I was going to
graduate high school. Now I'm planning for a career in the medical
field."
The latest program statistics show 88 percent of program
participants secure employment within one year of enrollment, and
79 percent of program youth who completed their GED enrolled in
post-secondary or vocational training. The dedicated team teaches
youth how to navigate job applications, school applications and so
much more. The grant awarded by The Bob & Renee Parsons
Foundation will assist AFFCF in sustaining service levels across
the state in the Keys to Success program.
"Programs like Keys to Success are so vital to our community,"
said Renee Parsons, co-founder of
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. "As children age out of
foster care, they often have nowhere to turn. Thankfully, Arizona
Friends of Foster Care Foundation is there to provide much needed
support during a pivotal time of transition."
About Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation
Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation (AFFCF) provides
foster care support by closing critical funding and service gaps.
AFFCF has over 40 years of experience ensuring Arizona's foster care population can
participate in the same activities as their non-foster care peers,
achieve self-sufficiency through employment, education, and housing
programs and pursue post-secondary success. AFFCF is dedicated to
changing the story of foster care in Arizona and qualifies for the Arizona Foster
Care Tax Credit. Visit affcf.org for more information.
About the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers support to
nonprofit organizations successfully working to empower, educate,
nurture and nourish people during what is often the darkest time of
their lives. Founded in 2012 by philanthropists and business
leaders Bob and Renee Parsons to
provide hope and life-changing assistance to the country's most
vulnerable populations, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation
offers critical funding at critical times to those in need. The
Foundation's giving is driven by the core belief that all people –
regardless of race, religion, roots, economic status, sexual
orientation or gender identity – deserve access to quality
healthcare, education and a safe place to call home. Follow
@WeDealInHope on social media or visit TBRPF.org, to learn more
about partner organizations and the important work being done in
the community.
Media Contact
Lindsay Hansen, The Bob &
Renee Parsons Foundation, 1 4802056195, lindsay@ldhconsulting.net,
https://tbrpf.org/
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SOURCE The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation