Foster Youth Independencce Ally Sandra Zamudio.

Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to work one-on-one with Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system. A special training session will be held Tuesday, Sept. 27, for interested volunteers.

Volunteer Allies have the unique opportunity to directly impact the lives of Santa Clarita’s transition age foster youth (ages 16 to 25) by providing support and helping them obtain needed resources. Allies also offer encouragement as the youth work to complete a post-secondary education, and prepare to become successful, independent adults.

“We don’t turn away any youth who needs our support, and so the number of foster youth we help continues to grow,” said Carolyn Olsen, FYI’s executive director and co-founder. “And that means we have a greater need for additional Allies, who can play such a key role in the lives of these students who are transitioning into adulthood.”

She added that FYI’s youth have achieved many of their goals with the right support system and caring adult Allies.

Foster Youth Independence Ally Fred Tazartes.

The rewards of becoming an Ally are clear. Local resident Lori Litel, who recently became an Ally, said, “With a joyful heart, I am experiencing the rewards of watching and helping my student navigate as she ‘baby steps’ her way to her goals, large and small. I can’t imagine anything better.”

And Sandy Zamudio, who has been paired with her youth since last November, said, “I feel honored to be a part of my youth’s journey while knowing I’m making a positive impact. It’s sweet to witness such resilience and growth and also be part of the FYI family.”

The Sept. 27 training session will be held at 6 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church.

To learn more or to register for the training, email Darlene at dallen@fyifosteryouth.org. To learn more about FYI visit www.fyifosteryouth.org.

“In the five years since FYI was started, we’ve served 132 local youth,” Olsen added. “And there are many more who are aging out of the foster system without being adopted and who we are ready to support. We’re so grateful for the volunteers and Allies who are on this journey with us.”

# # #

About Fostering Youth Independence (FYI)

FYI is a Santa Clarita-based nonprofit organization that supports local foster youth who have aged out of the L.A. County foster care system without being adopted or reunified with their birth parents. FYI addresses the serious challenges faced by these youth, which include not finishing high school or pursuing higher education, homelessness and incarceration. FYI offers current and former foster youth, ages 16-25 years, a caring adult “Ally” to provide the one-on-one guidance and encouragement they need to complete a post-secondary education, as well as resources to help these youth overcome past traumas, complete an education, gain employment and become successful, independent adults. FYI is currently serving 61 foster youth, the majority of whom are attending College of the Canyons.