California Youth Connection

To our CYC community and friends, This past week has been unsettling and challenging for not only our University of California Davis community, but for our entire country. CYC is here to listen, learn, and speak up for everyone, regardless of an individual’s creed, ethnicity, sexuality, or race. We are dedicated to working together with our brothers and sisters to create a Union free of racism. The recent deaths of George Floyd in Minnesota, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, Ahmau...d Arbery in Georgia, in addition to many others, highlight the sad truths of our nation-that the root of these unjustified deaths is systemic racism. We are just as outraged and saddened by these immoral acts of violence as you all are. The mission of CYC is to empower our young people to transform the foster care system and to change how disenfranchised and marginalized individuals are treated in our society. We are committed to keep working towards more policy change on the local, state, and national level to bridge the racial and socioeconomic gaps in our country. Everyone has a right to live in a country free of fear and want. For our black and brown communities, CYC hears and supports you. We are here to affect change in our society! Long lasting change is obtained through education and representation, not violence. To quote one of the greatest leaders in our country, Martin Luther King Jr., Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Please use this link to find many BLM (Black Lives Matter) resources. https://docs.google.com//1bJv46eTRaV_-PTFwg35W4jF3n_/edit CYC Yolo Chapter

Happy Tuesday everyone! Today the CYC Yolo Chapter would like to share some more information because May is Foster Care Awareness Month 1)Current law allows an NMD(Non-Minor Dependent) to continue to be in foster care up to age 21. However in a release made yesterday by the Department of Social Services- pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order N-53-20- would allow an NMD to stay in an extended foste care placement beyond their 21st birthday if the NMD turns 21 on or afte...r April 18, 2020... 2)Take a look at the google doc below of resources for any foster youth who may be impacted by campus closures.. We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. We will be posting more news and updates soon. #gspaggies UC Davis Guardian Scholars Program Dept. Social Services Release: https://www.cdss.ca.gov//PIN%2020-10-CRP%20GUIDANCE%20REGA

May is Foster Care Awareness Month. This is an important time to recognize the needs of kids and youth in the foster care system. This is the also the time to bring foster care issues to the forefront.... Here are some facts that we want to share for today.... -There are approximately 438,000 children in foster care in the U.S. -The number one reason a child enters the foster care system in neglect. -The average amount of time an individual will spend in foster care is around 24 months We encourage everyone to stay informed and educated. Like our page here and UC Davis Guardian Scholars Program to learn more and keep updated on news and legislation. Throughout this month we will post photos, share more facts and share more ways you can help.

The CYC Yolo Chapter hopes everyone is staying safe and healthy during these uncertain times. As always, please reach out if you have any questions regarding foster youth and access to resources. We wanted to share some positive news from the Office of the Governor.... https://www.gov.ca.gov//governor-newsom-announces-42-mill/ See more

In the midst of this difficult time, CYC Yolo would like to share some resources that can be of use to foster youth and especially foster youth students!! Please use this link for a list of reosurces that is being updated daily: https://docs.google.com//1-1D6tMJG0sUrcc94YUm/mobilebasic... If you are or know a student being impacted by the dorm closures, they can contact Together We Rise: https://www.togetherwerise.org/help-displaced-students/ Stay safe and please message us if you have any questions.

Our Yolo chapter had a wonderful time hosting a tour & panel for local high school foster youth! Today, we showed the youth the various resources the UC Davis campus has to offer and our chapter members were able to give insight and knowledge about the university and campus life. We also shared Info about the amazing UC Davis Guardian Scholars Program and the resources it has for any current or former foster youth! Chapter Members who helped today... Marcelo Lopez Kelly Sheffield Marialuisa Muñoz Galvan Kemmerle Liliana Wilf Samuel Snelson See more