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September 2018 |
Exciting news & announcements from
Sierra Association of Foster Families |
The Kids Who Played With Singing Angels
Written and Narrated by Joseph Galata
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VICTORY! MAJOR VICTORY! |
STARTING IN JANUARY 2019, youths from Nevada's foster care system will be able to attend a Nevada college on a tuition waiver!
At the University of Nevada- Reno, the audience burst into applause and many in tears when the announcement was made!
This is a major victory for our youths in Nevada foster care!
SAFF's Executive Director, along with Keri Pruitt, Washoe County Social Services Educational Liaison, 2 incredibly eloquent young ladies who were former foster youth and now in college, were permitted to offer testimony as to why the tuition waiver should become enacted.
SAFF will keep everyone informed as we approach January 2019! SAFF's Financial Literacy coaches can help with college applications, scholarships, student loans ( TRY NOT TO USE THEM IF AT ALL POSSIBLE) to pay for housing, books, etc.
Washoe County Social Services department Independent Living Program can assist potential college students as well.
ALL OF US ARE SO THANKFUL! ONWARD TO SUCCESS AFTER FOSTER CARE!
At the University of Nevada- Reno, the audience burst into applause and many in tears when the announcement was made!
This is a major victory for our youths in Nevada foster care!
SAFF's Executive Director, along with Keri Pruitt, Washoe County Social Services Educational Liaison, 2 incredibly eloquent young ladies who were former foster youth and now in college, were permitted to offer testimony as to why the tuition waiver should become enacted.
SAFF will keep everyone informed as we approach January 2019! SAFF's Financial Literacy coaches can help with college applications, scholarships, student loans ( TRY NOT TO USE THEM IF AT ALL POSSIBLE) to pay for housing, books, etc.
Washoe County Social Services department Independent Living Program can assist potential college students as well.
ALL OF US ARE SO THANKFUL! ONWARD TO SUCCESS AFTER FOSTER CARE!
PAPA, COME DANCE WITH ME AGAIN
We are thrilled to be designing, creating, producing, and performing theatrical, storytelling, musical, and media presentations- as well as workshops and trainings – about true-to-life characters, environments, and situations afflicted by physical, emotional, mental, and sociological health issues affecting children, adults, and senior citizens.
Alzheimer’s. Dementia. Cancer. Diabetes. EB. Sexual abuse. Incarcerations. Discrimination. Play deprivation. Mental illness. Persecution and Bullying. Poverty. Loneliness. Divorce. Eating disorders.
Our productions feature multi-talented individuals who deliver honest and uplifting presentations.
EDU-TAINMENT! COMBINING EDUCATION WITH ENTERTAINMENT TO CREATE AND SHARE INSPIRATION!
Uplifting YES! That’s why the title HEALTHY STAGES: CHANGING THE STORIES!
Alzheimer’s. Dementia. Cancer. Diabetes. EB. Sexual abuse. Incarcerations. Discrimination. Play deprivation. Mental illness. Persecution and Bullying. Poverty. Loneliness. Divorce. Eating disorders.
Our productions feature multi-talented individuals who deliver honest and uplifting presentations.
EDU-TAINMENT! COMBINING EDUCATION WITH ENTERTAINMENT TO CREATE AND SHARE INSPIRATION!
Uplifting YES! That’s why the title HEALTHY STAGES: CHANGING THE STORIES!
Mark your calendars!
Major Halloween Extravaganza!!!!!
SAFF and a great business in Reno- Sparks - LOKA TILE GROUP, Inc. - are partnering to produce an exciting 6-8 hour free Halloween Extravaganza! And just a few hours ago 2 other community businesses have joined us!! We believe more businesses will join the partnership!
What's going to happen on Sunday October 21 in Sparks?
Who is invited?
Foster families! Adoptive families! Biological parents and grandparents and relatives working towards reunification! Financially struggling families! Financially struggling Youths who have aged out of the system! Social workers and their families! SAFF's tutors! Anyone connected to the foster- adoptive family system!
More information will be announced as it becomes available.
What's going to happen on Sunday October 21 in Sparks?
- 400 free costumes for kids, teens and adults!
- Delicious food!
- Entertainment - (perhaps FREE movie tickets to Sparks's theatre opening up next month????!!) maybe!!!!!!!!!!
- Games! Games! Games!
Who is invited?
Foster families! Adoptive families! Biological parents and grandparents and relatives working towards reunification! Financially struggling families! Financially struggling Youths who have aged out of the system! Social workers and their families! SAFF's tutors! Anyone connected to the foster- adoptive family system!
More information will be announced as it becomes available.
Healthy Stages: Changing the Stories - Students Loans
SAFF's Financial Literacy Program includes advising foster youth preparing to age out of the system about the student loan industry.
This radio interview with the nation's leading activist, Alan Collinge concerning changing the laws about the student loan industry, was recently recorded in Reno at the KWNK Radio studios with our Executive Director, Joseph Galata and Financial Director, Chrissi Barnett.
It's a very powerful 30 minute show that should be heard by students as well as any adult co-signers of student loans."
Click to visit website
This radio interview with the nation's leading activist, Alan Collinge concerning changing the laws about the student loan industry, was recently recorded in Reno at the KWNK Radio studios with our Executive Director, Joseph Galata and Financial Director, Chrissi Barnett.
It's a very powerful 30 minute show that should be heard by students as well as any adult co-signers of student loans."
Click to visit website
Can you help?
SAFF has a youth in the foster care system who is in major need of a lap top so as to complete homework assignments.
SAFF is searching throughout the community for such a lap top - if you have one you aren't using or know how we may acquire one free of charge, please contact Joseph at Joeygalata@gmail.com.
We will take it to an technician to have the history eradicated in order to ensure that it is good for a youth to operate.
SAFF is searching throughout the community for such a lap top - if you have one you aren't using or know how we may acquire one free of charge, please contact Joseph at Joeygalata@gmail.com.
We will take it to an technician to have the history eradicated in order to ensure that it is good for a youth to operate.
Tutoring is available again this school year!
We have had quite a few emails from foster, adoptive, and biological parents how their children and teens can participate in the tutoring program.
IT'S FREE TO PARENTS. The tutors from UNR are paid with the generous grant funding from foundations.
If the youth is in foster care, we need the social worker's permission. Contact Josephfor more information.
IT'S FREE TO PARENTS. The tutors from UNR are paid with the generous grant funding from foundations.
If the youth is in foster care, we need the social worker's permission. Contact Josephfor more information.
It's beginning to look at lot like....
We know it's only August, but SAFF is already working on Christmas!
The festival party is Sunday, December 9, once again produced by our partner the National Charity League. Each year the party gets more and more joyful.
So mark your calendars!
The festival party is Sunday, December 9, once again produced by our partner the National Charity League. Each year the party gets more and more joyful.
So mark your calendars!
Night at the Ballet
SAFF has been invited to offer FREE admission to the colorful theatrical extravaganza ballet "A Midsummer Night"s Dream" created and performed by the renowned Sierra Nevada Ballet Company. Tickets are quite expensive so SAFF is honored to invite our families and supporters for free admission!
The performance is this Saturday August 11 at 7:30 pm in the Carson City Community Center.
If you want to attend pls contact SAFF's Executive Director Joseph at Joeygalata@gmail.com by Thursday evening so he can inform the show's producers and director.
The performance is this Saturday August 11 at 7:30 pm in the Carson City Community Center.
If you want to attend pls contact SAFF's Executive Director Joseph at Joeygalata@gmail.com by Thursday evening so he can inform the show's producers and director.
Tutoring! Let the success start again!
We are so excited!!!!!
Our foster and adopted children and teens have returned to schools in Washoe County so that means - YES!!!! YES!!!! SAFF's tutors from UNR are already starting to do the academic, literacy, financial, and vocational tutoring!!
Foster parents, adopted parents, biological parents, grandparents - if your child or teen needs tutoring contact us - if your youth has a social worker we need the social worker's permission!!!! Tutoring takes place in the youth's home, public library, or school.
Our foster and adopted children and teens have returned to schools in Washoe County so that means - YES!!!! YES!!!! SAFF's tutors from UNR are already starting to do the academic, literacy, financial, and vocational tutoring!!
Foster parents, adopted parents, biological parents, grandparents - if your child or teen needs tutoring contact us - if your youth has a social worker we need the social worker's permission!!!! Tutoring takes place in the youth's home, public library, or school.
HEALTHY STAGES;
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Currently in 2018 production and further production throughout 2019:
a Children's Musical Story Audio Book titled THE KIDS WHO PLAYED WITH SINGING ANGELS
Many adults either say "kids are playing way too much" or "kids aren't playing enough" however.. for kids who are traumatized because of abuse, abandonment, or neglect... and in both current and anticipatory grief... including the 350,000 children nationwide placed in the foster care system any given day... we say "these kids don't barely get to play at all!"
"continuous medical, psychological, and sociological studies show negative effects resulting from PLAY DEPRIVATION include an increase in violent crimes, decreases in brain and muscle fiber development, and reducing in communication, problem-solving, and social skills.'
"the benefits of play include: release of negative energy, tension reduction, cognitive development, problem-solving, perspective-taking, empathy, mastering new concepts, affective development, self-confidence, self-resolution, concentration, fine motor experience, language development, making learning fun and enjoyable, providing opportunities for collaborative learning with adults and peers."
THE KIDS WHO PLAYED WITH ANGELS is an original series of 30 minute musical storytelling audio books. Through educational and entertaining stories created by professional adults and working with respective youths... this series is for 5-11 year olds who need to be inspired and become enthusiastic about play.. and also for adults - professionals and personal family guardians who need to be educated and inspired about the serious consequences of play deprivation.
a Children's Musical Story Audio Book titled THE KIDS WHO PLAYED WITH SINGING ANGELS
Many adults either say "kids are playing way too much" or "kids aren't playing enough" however.. for kids who are traumatized because of abuse, abandonment, or neglect... and in both current and anticipatory grief... including the 350,000 children nationwide placed in the foster care system any given day... we say "these kids don't barely get to play at all!"
"continuous medical, psychological, and sociological studies show negative effects resulting from PLAY DEPRIVATION include an increase in violent crimes, decreases in brain and muscle fiber development, and reducing in communication, problem-solving, and social skills.'
"the benefits of play include: release of negative energy, tension reduction, cognitive development, problem-solving, perspective-taking, empathy, mastering new concepts, affective development, self-confidence, self-resolution, concentration, fine motor experience, language development, making learning fun and enjoyable, providing opportunities for collaborative learning with adults and peers."
THE KIDS WHO PLAYED WITH ANGELS is an original series of 30 minute musical storytelling audio books. Through educational and entertaining stories created by professional adults and working with respective youths... this series is for 5-11 year olds who need to be inspired and become enthusiastic about play.. and also for adults - professionals and personal family guardians who need to be educated and inspired about the serious consequences of play deprivation.
The first 30 minute musical story audio books is currently in production for broadcast, downloading, and acquisition.... with release being mid -September 2018. 5 more episodes will be completed and released throughout 2019.
Please consider making a financial donation to cover the expenses.
Please consider making a financial donation to cover the expenses.
Mastering Soft Skills for the Workplace.
SAFF's VIP students are required to watch the 7 Skills videos (Skills to Pay the Bills video is featured above, click image to watch and view all) from the Department of Labor about employment skills. After watching, each student will write an essay about what they have learned. They are rewarded with a $50 check from SAFF. It's a great way to cement what they have learned about what is expected of them in the workforce.
SAFF Congratulates Yvette Clark!
Congratulation to one of our own Best Foster Parents! Yvette Clark of Reno, Nevada has been voted The Best Foster parent in the United Statesby Transfiguring Adoption.
Transfiguring Adoption helps create ways for parents to engage with kids in their care and start conversations about difficult situations through media. Books, movies, songs, and other media are a great way for people to relate to one another and understand each other's feelings.
Transfiguring Adoption helps create ways for parents to engage with kids in their care and start conversations about difficult situations through media. Books, movies, songs, and other media are a great way for people to relate to one another and understand each other's feelings.
Healthy Stages: Changing the Stories
In case you missed it, this past week's radio episode is titled "Friendship". Listen as our panel frankly share some personal stories of friendship and discuss what those friendships have meant to them.
You can listen to all of the Healthy Stages episodes - just click on the link above and at the bottom of the webpage, past broadcasts are available. Thanks to KWNK Radio
You can listen to all of the Healthy Stages episodes - just click on the link above and at the bottom of the webpage, past broadcasts are available. Thanks to KWNK Radio
College Scholarships for current and former foster youth.
Several programs initiate scholarships, grants and loans that are exclusively available to students who are adopted or currently/formerly in foster care. The early part of the century saw several states codify new assistance and tuition waiver programs for foster kids and adoptees.
Public and private scholarships originate at the state and federal levels, providing access to college for former foster children.
For more information - click here.
Public and private scholarships originate at the state and federal levels, providing access to college for former foster children.
For more information - click here.
OUR NEWEST PROJECT IN DEVELOPMENT |
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Six 10-minute creative videos to be used for social media and mainstream media, as well as for presentations and workshops. The use of music, song, dance, storytelling, cultural traditions and rituals, sports, and holistic health modalities on the healing journey from traumatic and anticipatory grief.
Including: |
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LATEST EPISODE:
Celebrating Beautiful Friendships
and Healing From Broken Friendships
Every 1st & 3rd Sundays at 8am!
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Featuring 18 Nationwide Performers and Educators.
18 national performers from NYC (including Broadway), Seattle, Florida, Washington DC, Kansas, California, and Nevada - each a humanitarian and supporter of kids in foster care. Have joined SAFF's newest project: "Healthy Stages: Changing The Stories" to create, produce, distribute for workshops, trainings, and presentations 6 ten minute videos on how music, songs, dance, storytelling, theatre, painting, writing, sports can help a displaced child heal from traumatic and anticipatory grief. |
The participants representing Latino, African American, Chinese, Native American, Filipino, Romani, Middle Eastern and Caucasian races also include grief and bereavement specialists, media and broadcasting producers and journalists, and educators.
Also, be sure to take a listen to SAFF's Radio Broadcast "Changing the Stories: Healthy Stages" from July 1st. This radio broadcast project is part of our VIP program for disadvantaged youth. These kids receive training in 4 areas: Veterinary services, Restaurant Services, Shampoo Technician, & Radio Broadcast Services. For more information contact Program Director Jill Wells. |
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.
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