Support Foster Youth & SB 123!

What is SB 123?

Senate Bill 123, drafted by OFYC with input from over 100 foster youth, will create a Foster Youth Bill of Rights and ensure that every child and youth in foster care gets a copy. It will also create a position at the Governor’s Advocacy Office for a Foster Care Ombudsmen — someone focused entirely on the challenges of children involved in the foster care system.

Why do we need a Foster Youth Bill of Rights?

“It’s important for youth to know that if they file a complaint, they will not be harmed physically or verbally. It is Oregon’s job as our parent to make sure we are treated with fairness.” – Cain Stellings, OFYC Legislative Action Committee Representative

OFYC Legislative Action Committee Representatives testifying!

OFYC and it’s members couldn’t agree more with Cain, this is why we are asking the state to guarantee that every foster child know they are entitled to things like proper nutrition, clothes that fit, and a relationship with their siblings; and that they have somewhere to turn if they are denied mail, restricted from making calls to their lawyer, or forced to take multiple psychotropic drugs. Currently there is no uniform system for making sure foster children have this information and there is no clear procedure at the state for addressing reports of violations. This leaves too many of Oregon’s 13,000 foster youth vulnerable to abuse or in homes that are not meeting their basic needs.

How close is SB 123 to becoming a law?

How can you help make a Foster Youth Bill of Rights a reality?

Cain, Patrick & Royce after a job well done!

We could not be more proud of Cain, Royce and Patrick for testifying and sharing their stories with the members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee!

Now it’s your turn to speak up for Oregon’s foster youth! Write to your legislator in support of Senate Bill 123, the work of the Oregon Foster Youth Connection, and the brave efforts of our youth members.

Write to your legislator!

If you don’t know you have rights, it’s like having no rights at all. That’s what we believe.

Unfortunately, too many children don’t know or understand their rights in foster care. Worse yet, there is currently no formal avenue for them to report violations.

Senate Bill 123, drafted with input from over 100 foster youth, will create a Foster Youth Bill of Rights and ensure that every child and youth in foster care gets a copy. It will also create a position at the Governor’s Advocacy Office for a Foster Care Ombudsmen — someone focused entirely on the challenges of children involved in the foster care system.

Write  your legislator today in support of SB 123.

Oregon Foster Youth Connection hosts 2013 Advocacy Convening: Our Rights, Our Voices on February 9 – 11, 2013.

Congratulations to all 20 current and former foster youth from across Oregon who came together from February 9 – 11 for three days of advocacy, activism, leadership-and fun! Thank you for advocating for the passage of the Foster Youth Bill of Rights (SB 123) and making your voices heard before lawmakers.  You are amazing! 

OFYC’s 2012 Youth Summit was an amazing conference, filled with team building, field activities, a talent show, and concluding with an impressive list of policy recommendations.

Get your copy here: 2012 Youth Summit Recommendations

If you’re 14-25 years old and have ever been in foster care, you’re invited!!!

2012 OFYC Youth Summit: Our Past is not our Future

July 8th-11th!

Join 50 other current or former foster youth from across Oregon for three days of advocacy, activism, leadership-and fun! ALL FOR FREE. Watch the video to see what youth who attended in 2010 had to say!

You will spend the summit working with other youth on an issue you choose and be able to share your ideas on how to improve the foster care system. On July 11th, at a lunch you will get to share your ideas and recommendations with lawmakers and truly make an impact on the foster care system! Get involved now to ensure your voice and the voice of foster youth all of Oregon is heard this year at the Capitol!

Registration is open until June 21st, register at the link below!

Youth Attendees

http://cffo.convio.net/site/Calendar?id=100721&view=Detail

Community Partner interested in attending the Luncheon on Wednesday, July 11th.

http://cffo.convio.net/site/Calendar?id=100761&view=Detail

National Foster Care Month is here, and with it, OFYC’s Annual Duffle Bag Drive. Want to get involved but don’t know where to start? See our 2012 Duffle Bag Drive Tool Kit. This kit includes a step-by-step guide and all the materials you’ll need to spread the word about the 2012 Duffle Bag Drive. For updates and this years Raising Awarness Videos, check our Foster Care Month page.

This past Friday, friends and supporters of the Oregon Foster Youth Connection gathered in Southeast Portland to celebrate a hallmark moment in OFYC’s history: the opening of our very own Resource Center!

Outfitted with brand new laptops, a conference space, and a small reading room, the Resource Center will be a hub for all OFYC’s advocacy activities and offer youth transitioning from foster care a safe space to get connected to community resources for housing, healthcare, and education.

OFYC Member Ambassador, Sam, shared his thoughts with more than 50 guests in attendance on Friday about what it means for the group to have a home to complete its work:

“The dreams of youth echo through this building—the dreams of committed, passionate individuals who deserve every inch of ground they have cleared through political perseverance.”

Sam has been involved in OFYC for nearly three years and is an amazing youth leader.

We are proud of this enormous accomplishment—one that would not have been possible without your support.