Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence (FYI) is seeking “allies” to work one-on-one with Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the Los Angeles County foster care system.

Volunteer allies have the unique opportunity to directly impact the lives of Santa Clarita’s foster youth, from ages 16 to 25, by helping them obtain much-needed resources and offering encouragement as they work to complete post-secondary education and prepare to become successful, independent adults.

“Being an FYI Ally has been a wonderful eye-opening experience for me,” said Amiejoy Nogel. “I signed up hoping to motivate and inspire a foster youth, but discovered that my foster youth has motivated and inspired me as well. Becoming an Ally has shown me how much strength and courage foster youth have. My foster youth, like so many others, has had to go through extremely tough situations and she has not given up. I am humbled and inspired by their strength to press on.”

Through a training session in June, volunteers should be guided through the process of offering support to local foster youths as they complete a post-secondary education.

“Since our founding five years ago, FYI has been able to support 120 current and former foster youth,” said Carolyn Olsen, FYI’s executive director and co-founder. “And we couldn’t have done this without a wonderful group of caring adult Allies who have stepped forward to help change these youth’s lives.”

The rewards of becoming an Ally are clear from Ally Nogel.

“Being an Ally reminds me not to take anything in life for granted and to treasure every moment,” Nogel said. “I have seen how FYI surrounds the foster youth with so much love to make sure they are not forgotten and not alone.”

The June 2 training session is scheduled to be held at Christ Lutheran Church from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. To learn more or to register for the training, email Darlene Allen at dallen@fyifosteryouth.org. Further information about Fostering Youth Independence can be found online here.

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