...and SAFF!

February 2015 
Announcements from SAFF


SAFF recognized for 
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS 
to Nevada's Communities

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The Executive Director wishes to say a GENEROUS thank you to SAFF's In Home After School Academic Tutors because ....

SAFF has been invited along with a select number of non profit organizations, to be recognized for outstanding contributions to Nevada's communities, at a special session of the Nevada Legislature on February 27.

Says Joseph " even though I'm very active in the community, I had nothing to do with having SAFF recognized for this honor.  It came as a complete surprise! And It's because of the outstanding work SAFF's tutors perform 7 days a week helping our youth in foster care succeed academically!".

 SAFF also acknowledges that the honor is due to the dedication of social workers, funders, supporters, parents, teachers who all make the tutoring program successful.

CONGRATULATIONS TUTORS! SAFF congratulates all the non profits in our state who work so diligently to enrich our diverse populations! SAFF is honored to be in your company!!!!

PBS Television Special & Writing Contest

On Thursday Feb 19, SAFF's Executive Director appeared on a 1 hour PBS television special with the Superintendent of Nevada's schools , former Superintendent of Washoe School District, President of TMCC and other distinguished educators to discuss solutions for increasing graduation rates of our students in Nevada schools. Joseph spoke about SAFF's tutoring program, the need for helping youth triumph over the stigmas of being a child of poverty or a child in foster care. Joseph says " I spoke with my passion for appreciation of our tutors, social workers, funders, et cetera!"

Parents and social workers!!!  PBS TV in Reno is having acreative writing contest for elementary school children! Two years ago 3 of our foster youth worked with their tutors to write stories and all 3 WON! If you want your child to write a one page creative story and enter it in the tv competition email Joseph for details!!!!!


NY Times Feb 2015 article!
Often Joseph is asked why SAFF focuses its attention on tutoring.
Here's a good reason:

"...this week an article appeared in the. NY Times about what happens to a large number of former foster youth.

Each year over 30,000 youth in America age out of the foster care system. More than half don't have high school diplomas, by the age of 23 only half even have a job, only 6 percent attended college or a vocational trade school, 68% of the males end up convicted of a crime  and 79 percent are pregnant single moms.

SAFF's tutoring program helps the social workers and parents help the youth enjoy school, improve their grades , advance to a higher grade , and graduate with a diploma! We are focusing our current efforts to help them get into college or vocational schools! Education is THE KEY to opening the doors to success! That's why SAFF focuses on tutoring the youth in Washoe County foster care! We are reducing those statistics the NY Times writes about." -Joseph

PERSONAL CARE PROJECT FOR TEEN GIRLS

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The National Charity League comprised of local mothers and and their high-school daughters are sponsoring a new SAFF project: it's called FHFHC (Foster Home Feminine Hygiene Closet) and it's for teen girls in foster care who perhaps:
A. Aren't comfortable asking foster parent(s) for hygiene products.
B. The foster parent can't get to the store during night hours....
C. Is being re-united with her birth parent(s) and there may not be a supply in the home. 

Today, the first donation of these products has been delivered to SAFF by the NCL. We invite foster parents, birth parents, CASAs, & social workers to email Joseph JGalata@aol.com and set up a time to come to SAFF get a few products to have available when needed. 

TUTORING

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We are overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement to announce that as of today SAFF is currently providing In-Home/After School Academic Tutoring to 91 youths in the Washoe County foster care system from 1st to 12th grade... 91 youths at one time!!!!!!
SAFF has found it necessary to hire additional tutors from UNR to meet the demand. 
Thanks to the WCSS social workers for referring the youths and caring so much about their education.. and a special thanks to Tom Murtha Washoe County's Educational Liaison for foster care youths and, of course, to our funders who make this successful academic program ... SUCCESSFUL!!!
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And speaking of educational success... if you are the foster, adoptive, or birth parent of a teen graduating from a Washoe County High School this May or June.. don't let the month of March pass your teen by with out talking to his/her school counselor about college scholarships from the Frank M. and Gertrude R. Doyle Foundation, theCommunity Foundation of Western Nevada, and the RENO Sons of Italy Organization. 

CHRISTMAS THANK YOU'S, AGAIN

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SAFF has sent out personal "thank you" messages to all the organizations, businesses, families, and individuals who made the 2014 Christmas season such a happy one for our youth in foster and adoptive care. 
With a wonderful party at Bishop Manogue, performances at the Reno Little Theatre, Pioneer Center, and Carson City Community Center and with donations of 2,000 dollars worth of movie tickets, brand new winter coats, hats, gloves, and scarves primarily for the impoverished birth parents, and toys, toys, toys, toys, and financial donations, we at SAFF are 1000000000 % grateful for the community support.

AmazonSmile Foundation

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Sierra Association Of Foster Families will be receiving a $10.00 donation from the AmazonSmile Foundation as a result of AmazonSmile program activity between April 1 and June 30, 2014. 

Click on the image to shop with AmazonSmile and help to support Sierra Association of Foster Families.

Reminder!

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If you need to reach Joseph.. email him at JGalata@aol.com... your message will go to his phone..  political campaign season is here.. and Joseph can't do his work and take care of his own family when political robo calls are non-stop!