Housing vouchers for foster youth - and the role of youth in designing them

Thankful that the provisions we designed continue to make a difference. Ohio foster care youth and alumni volunteered our time to travel to Washington D.C. from 2013-2020:

a.) To work with federal legislators to author and advocate for the passage of the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act

b.) To meet with HUD to design the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative

Deeply grateful for Ruth Anne White and her tireless support of FSHO and FYI, and her dedication to remind others about the role of youth in making these provisions happen. 

When it comes to federal and state provisions designed for foster youth by foster youth, there can be a willful forgetfulness that happens over time. 

It is often up to us to chart and remember those pages in history. 

2023 Self Care Summit for Foster Youth and Alumni

Link to more photos.

September is Self-Care Awareness Month, and the OHIO YAB and ACTION Ohio partnered with Hope Valley and the Ohio Supreme Court to facilitate a self care retreat for current and former foster youth (ages 14-24).

The 2023 Self Care Summit for Ohio Foster Care Youth and Alumni took place on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023 at the Hope Valley Retreat Center, 4560 Gratiot Rd SE, Newark, OH 43056. We are grateful to the Ohio Supreme Court for sponsorship, Hope Valley for hosting, adult supporters for transporting youth, and to two CSCC professors for facilitating self-care activities. 

We received RSVPs from Allen, Athens, Belmont, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Lawrence, Licking, Lorain, Perry, and Van Wert counties.