What's happening?
The sixth annual Festival of "Fostering" Trees took place December 2 - 4, 2011 and was a great success. 140 trees and other items were raffled off to raise funds to support youth in the Southern Maine foster care system. The festival raised over $7,800!
YLAT member, Torry Bernard, was interviewed by Channel 8 news. Watch it here!
During the October and November meetings, YLAT youth and adults statewide began to plan the community service projects, the issues, and the events for the year. Remember, you can join YLAT at any time. Check the YLAT Calendar for the meeting closest to your home and for date and times. See you there!
We always make time for fun at our YLAT meetings. Check out these pumpkins!
High Ropes Adventure at Camp Ketcha
Last spring, the York County Foster Care Collaborative (YCFCC) a group of youth and adult community members, met to talk about the ways that adults can best support youth in foster care to meet their college goals. The group decided to hold an event that would include a high ropes course, a cook out, a discussion about supports that are available on campuses in Maine and in the community, and an opportunity to get to know their peers better. On Friday, September 9th, the YCFCC held their event at Camp Ketcha in Scarborough. Click HERE to read more and find out how you can get involved in future events!
On August 10th four youth from the Rockland YLAT ventured out with Muriel Curtis of Station Maine (check out her website) for a rowing adventure. The weather wasn’t the most cooperative but the group toughed out the rain and enjoyed rowing along the Rockland Coast. The rowing was no easy task but the group learned the rowing techniques, how to work together, and conquered the water with smiles!
This year's Teen Conference was a great success and a lot fun! Click HERE to read an article about the conference published in the Bangor Daily News, or click HERE to view some photos from the event.
It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of one of our "family members," Janice Brown, a longtime caseworker for the Office of Child and Family Services, who died tragically in a car accident on May 23, 2011. Janice worked out of the Rockland office and she had a profound and positive impact on many families in the course of her work and helped so many Maine children find love and happiness in a permanent home.
OCFS and the foster families hosted a celebration of Janice's life on June 14, 2011 at the Rockland DHHS office. If you are on Facebook, you can learn more or post on: In Loving Memory of Janice Brown - Gone but Not Forgotten.
Maine Youth Transition Collaborative Dinner
On April 26 2011, twenty-six youth and adult partners gathered for dinner atthe Senator Inn in Augusta to honor two young people who have been active members of the Maine Youth Transition Collaborative: Gary Houtsma and Dianna Walters. Gary, whose life ended tragically in February, was remembered through stories and pictures as a strong advocate for youth in care. Dianna has helped youth in care in many ways: as a Camp to Belong counselor, a youth researcher, and a leader in Maine's permanency efforts. She was presented with a plaque from the Office of Child & Family Services. In May 2011, Dianna will begin working for the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative in St. Louis focusing on national policy issues for older youth in care. Over the coming year, she will complete her Master's at the Muskie School of Public Service. Click HERE to check out some photos from the event.
Youth from Maine's YLAT and Youth MOVE Maine have partnered with DHHS to create "Making a Choice: A guide to making a decision about using antipsychotic medication." This guidebook will help young people to know how to work with supports, get information and really participate in this important decision. Check it out!
The online Family Team Meeting tool is ready for you!
Using the Family Team Meeting online tool is a great way to prepare for your family team meetings. Click HERE to get started! Many thanks to the team at THRIVE who helped YLAT youth create this resource.