COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN NEVADA ANNOUNCEMENT: www.renoyouthnetwork.com
June 2015
Announcements from SAFF
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WASHOE COUNTY FOSTER TEENS GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL!
On Thursday evening at the Silver Peak Restaurant in Reno, 18 of the 22 foster care teens graduating from high school celebrated with Washoe County social workers, The Honorable Judge Walker, and the Executive Director of SAFF!
Along with a delicious dinner, each graduated received a book and a check honoring them for their outstanding achievement.
One student began his senior year lacking 17 credits, and by working day and night on his studies, passed all his tests, earned all his credits, and got that diploma handed to him. Tawyna Robertson, Valerie Welsh, and Shannon McCoy from the Independent Living Program at Washoe County Social Services designed the celebration. Joseph from SAFF arranged for the professional video taping performed by award winning film maker Gwen Clancy.
Students spoke on camera about their graduating achievement and each one spontaneously offered generous THANK YOU'S to their foster parents and to their social workers. One graduate had her social worker in tears when she gave one testimony after another about how her social worker inspired and guided her through her years in foster care.
Another student praised her foster mom saying " She never treated me like I was the OTHER kid in the house. She always made me feel I was 100% a part of the family." One student announced she is the recipient of 6 scholarships, including the Otto Huth Scholarship, Rotary Scholarship, and the Student in Washoe Schools who overcame the most challenges to succeed.
Taking us by surprise, each of the eloquent and articulate teens spoke about how being in foster care was enjoyable! One graduate said "I had a great time being in foster care. If I hadn't been in foster care, I would have been homeless or worse. I will always remember my years in foster care as years of happiness."
The Honorable Judge Walker gave a powerful inspiring speech about the need for foster parents to help the teens, the power of social workers, and the aspirations and motivations of the youths towards succeeding. It was a celebration of joy and triumph! Thank you to everyone who helped these 22 Washoe County foster care teens navigate through high school. SUCCESS feels so good!!!!!
Along with a delicious dinner, each graduated received a book and a check honoring them for their outstanding achievement.
One student began his senior year lacking 17 credits, and by working day and night on his studies, passed all his tests, earned all his credits, and got that diploma handed to him. Tawyna Robertson, Valerie Welsh, and Shannon McCoy from the Independent Living Program at Washoe County Social Services designed the celebration. Joseph from SAFF arranged for the professional video taping performed by award winning film maker Gwen Clancy.
Students spoke on camera about their graduating achievement and each one spontaneously offered generous THANK YOU'S to their foster parents and to their social workers. One graduate had her social worker in tears when she gave one testimony after another about how her social worker inspired and guided her through her years in foster care.
Another student praised her foster mom saying " She never treated me like I was the OTHER kid in the house. She always made me feel I was 100% a part of the family." One student announced she is the recipient of 6 scholarships, including the Otto Huth Scholarship, Rotary Scholarship, and the Student in Washoe Schools who overcame the most challenges to succeed.
Taking us by surprise, each of the eloquent and articulate teens spoke about how being in foster care was enjoyable! One graduate said "I had a great time being in foster care. If I hadn't been in foster care, I would have been homeless or worse. I will always remember my years in foster care as years of happiness."
The Honorable Judge Walker gave a powerful inspiring speech about the need for foster parents to help the teens, the power of social workers, and the aspirations and motivations of the youths towards succeeding. It was a celebration of joy and triumph! Thank you to everyone who helped these 22 Washoe County foster care teens navigate through high school. SUCCESS feels so good!!!!!
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN NEVADA
Community Foundation of Western Nevada is one of the BEST foundations in this entire state! They now have a new program for organizations and the deadline to apply is coming soon! It's called the 2015 Reno Restaurant Fundraiser. They will work with three to five organizations in Reno that assist youth who are homeless, runaways, aging out of foster care.... "to extend the mission of the Youth Network Initiative ( You'N-I).
One of the local non-profits focusing on youth homelessness
During six weeks in Fall, a collection of restaurants will present dinners with the option of donating $ to local non profit organizations focusing "on youth homelessness." The campaign will be in Reno fromOctober 1-Nov 17 and 100% of the raised funds will be divided between the organizations participating.
Application deadline is Monday June 29 at 8:00 in the morning. Log on to http://nevadafund.org/ for more information. We are telling you, Community Foundation staff are some of the most caring people you could ever hope to work with!
CONGRATULATIONS SPOTLIGHT YOUTH THEATRE TEENS
Well, after only 6 radio broadcasts on preventing school bullying and violence, the Spotlight Youth Radio Theatre teens have nearly 3,000 followers.
On Thursday evening two weeks ago, over 149 audience members gave the 12 middle and high school teens a spontaneous standing ovation for their 80 minute theater performance of IN OUR OWN BACKYARD, a drama about school bullying and violence. We thank the Center for Spiritual Living for their gorgeous auditorium and assistance. Audience members donated $560.00
Invitations are pouring in from organizations requesting a performance for their students, families, and clientele.
We are so proud of these teens working with SAFF to prevent school bullying and violence.
On Thursday evening two weeks ago, over 149 audience members gave the 12 middle and high school teens a spontaneous standing ovation for their 80 minute theater performance of IN OUR OWN BACKYARD, a drama about school bullying and violence. We thank the Center for Spiritual Living for their gorgeous auditorium and assistance. Audience members donated $560.00
Invitations are pouring in from organizations requesting a performance for their students, families, and clientele.
We are so proud of these teens working with SAFF to prevent school bullying and violence.
We are now beginning work on a new theatrical project for Christmas to be performed at Center for Spiritual Living. We just love working with them and the auditorium is truly beautiful.
The Saturday morning radio broadcasts - 1180 am and 101.3 FM at 8:00 in the morning - will focus throughout July and August on preventing bullying towards kids with special needs and disabilities. This series will be made possible by a generous grant from the Center for Excellence in Disabilities.
The Saturday morning radio broadcasts - 1180 am and 101.3 FM at 8:00 in the morning - will focus throughout July and August on preventing bullying towards kids with special needs and disabilities. This series will be made possible by a generous grant from the Center for Excellence in Disabilities.
FINANCIAL LITERACY COACHING, EDUCATION, MENTORING
SAFF is working diligently with community organizations including the Dean Scholar students at UNR, the National Financial Educators Council, the Opportunity Alliance Nevada Financial Literacy Coaching, and others to create SAFF's Financial Literacy Education, Mentoring, and Coaching program for high school teens in foster care.
A professional curriculum is currently being designed and will be put into place on a special web site
featuring a 12 segment 60 minute web video featuring UNR students and local high school students. SAFF's mentors/tutors will use this program when working on a one -to-one level with the teens.
We are tremendously excited to help the teens learn about various financial subjects such as credit cards, student loans, identity theft, writing a college or vocational school essay, etc.
This program is being produced in part by a generous grant from the McGowan Foundation in Chicago. We are applying for additional funding from various foundations and donors to reach as many teens in the foster care system as possible.
Our attitudes, values, and knowledge about $$$$$ create our lifestyles.. we want our teens to have successful financial lifestyles when they exit the foster care system.
A professional curriculum is currently being designed and will be put into place on a special web site
featuring a 12 segment 60 minute web video featuring UNR students and local high school students. SAFF's mentors/tutors will use this program when working on a one -to-one level with the teens.
We are tremendously excited to help the teens learn about various financial subjects such as credit cards, student loans, identity theft, writing a college or vocational school essay, etc.
This program is being produced in part by a generous grant from the McGowan Foundation in Chicago. We are applying for additional funding from various foundations and donors to reach as many teens in the foster care system as possible.
Our attitudes, values, and knowledge about $$$$$ create our lifestyles.. we want our teens to have successful financial lifestyles when they exit the foster care system.
Twin Beds for Free
Our friend Jane has a couple of like new twin beds that she is donating. If you have a need for a twin bed or both, please email Joseph (click to email).
Our friend Jane has a couple of like new twin beds that she is donating. If you have a need for a twin bed or both, please email Joseph (click to email).
Micah - Outstanding Student of the Year!!!!!!
Congratulations to Micah Simon!
Micah entered this world with a major disability. Then he entered the foster care system and became a member of the inspirational adoptive family of Merrill and Roberta Simon.
Day after day - each and every school day - his parents helped him get dressed for school, put him on a bus with a nurse, and sent him off to be with friends and teachers in his classroom.
A few weeks ago Micah put on a tuxedo and was escorted by his sister to the school prom.
Now - Micah is a High School Graduate!!!!
Congratulations to his parents who are the epitome of what family love and strength is really all about!! This is what family is all about! Triumphant determination to give their children the best education!
We are so proud of you, Micah!!!!! Very, very proud of you, and of your mom and dad!
Micah entered this world with a major disability. Then he entered the foster care system and became a member of the inspirational adoptive family of Merrill and Roberta Simon.
Day after day - each and every school day - his parents helped him get dressed for school, put him on a bus with a nurse, and sent him off to be with friends and teachers in his classroom.
A few weeks ago Micah put on a tuxedo and was escorted by his sister to the school prom.
Now - Micah is a High School Graduate!!!!
Congratulations to his parents who are the epitome of what family love and strength is really all about!! This is what family is all about! Triumphant determination to give their children the best education!
We are so proud of you, Micah!!!!! Very, very proud of you, and of your mom and dad!
New Grant Funding Awarded !!!
Our weekly radio series featuring 12 Washoe County teens ....Spotlight Youth Radio Theatre ... has now been awarded generous grant funding from the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities for the weekly broadcasts beginning in July focusing on the prevention of school bullying and violence against kids with disabilities including kids in foster care.
Come meet the 12 teens as they perform their theatrical production on June 4th (see below for more info) and also listen to their weekly radio broadcasts on 1180AM live each Saturday at 8 in the morning and repeated throughout the week.
Come meet the 12 teens as they perform their theatrical production on June 4th (see below for more info) and also listen to their weekly radio broadcasts on 1180AM live each Saturday at 8 in the morning and repeated throughout the week.
Click poster for printable PDF
AmazonSmile Foundation
Remember, SAFF is a 501c3 non profit organization, which means financial donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law! We thank our funders and donors who help to keep our programs growing in success.
Amazon Smile is a wonderful way to donate. Log on and find out more! SAFF receives no federal funding and relies solely on your generosity and caring.
Amazon Smile is a wonderful way to donate. Log on and find out more! SAFF receives no federal funding and relies solely on your generosity and caring.