Building Blocks: Our services for foster youth
Every teen needs a solid foundation before striking out on his or her own. Yet, for some foster youth, trying to build a future can be daunting—especially without all the necessary building blocks.
Volunteers of America's services for foster youth—Independent Living, SETuP, Mockingbird Society and Safety Net—are designed specificially to provide the basic coming-of-age building blocks many of us take for granted
We serve foster youth not just because so many Crosswalk kids have either been in and out of foster care or should have been in foster care. We also do it because we know that only thirty percent of foster youth graduate from high school and less than two percent finish secondary education. Read more about our services for foster youth in the latest edition of Working Wonders>
Promise graduates! Her journey from Crosswalk to law school
Seventeen and homeless, Promise came to Crosswalk to get her feet back on the ground. She didn't expect to find people like her case worker Heidi Peterson, who saw her potential and encouraged her to reach for an education.
"Not only did I receive a roof over my head," recalls Promise. "I also received a new path to follow in life."
Now, Promise is not only the first person in her family to attend college, she is the first Crosswalk alum to graduate from an Ivy League university.
Find out where Promise is headed for law school>
Hope House volunteer speaks at national conference
Just a few short years after a medical catastrophe left Michelle Christie and her two children homeless, she found herself sharing her story with a standing-room only crowd at the Northwest National Service Symposium in Portland.
"To me, I’m just a normal human being sharing my life story. I didn’t realize how many people were curious about what it’s like to be homeless and afraid to ask questions. I was able to talk about my work at Hope House and how open my eyes have become to the issues that I wouldn’t even think about before. It felt good to help open other people’s eyes."Read Michelle's speech>
Donors Can Now Make Tax-Free Gifts from their IRAs
Congress has re-authorized legislation that allows donors to make charitable gifts from their IRA accounts during tax years 2008 and 2009 without incurring income tax on the withdrawal. If you are age 70 1/2 or older and are required to take minimum withdrawals, this may be a great way to make a gift to one or more qualified charities. For more information,visit our legacy planning section.