Friend of Youth in Care Award
Each year the award is presented to a caring adult who has exhibited leadership on behalf of youth in foster care. Youth in foster care face many challenges. Caring adults can assist youth who are facing these challenges by providing support, advocacy and friendship. Additionally, there are those people who come up with creative solutions to make the system better for all youth in care. They deserve our thanks.
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The Friend of Youth in Care Award will go to those adults who are willing to:
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Make a commitment to youth in care
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Advocate for youth in care
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Be leaders on behalf of youth in care
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Be a positive role model for youth in care
2023
Senator Chip Curry
Senator Chip Curry​
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Senator Chip Curry, of Waldo County is a former Rockland YLAT facilitator and has demonstrated his commitment to lifting the voices and expertise of youth in care to inform system and policy change at the legislative level.
In the 2021 Legislative season Senator Curry proposed and championed, in partnership with alumni of foster care, LD 1019 An Act To Improve the Long-term Outcomes for Youth Transitioning from State Care by Raising the Upper Age Limit for Voluntary Support Eligibility, to extend the voluntary extended agreement for youth aging out of care to age 23. With the voices of young people and Senator Curry’s support the legislation passed and went into effect July 2022. Now young people who age out of Maine’s foster care system can receive support through the voluntary extended agreement up to their 23rd birthday.
Past FYIC Award Recipients:
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2022: Chris Hunninghaus · 2021: Dulcey Laberge · 2020: Marty Zanghi · 2019: New Beginnings · 2018: New England Youth Coalition (NEYC) · 2017: Penthea Burns · 2016: A Place Called H.O.M.E. · 2015: Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) · 2014: Representative Seth Berry & Senator Gratwick · 2013: Laurie Davis · 2012: Jobs for Maine’s Graduates · 2011: Dianna Walters · 2010: William R. Bradford, II · 2009: Bette Hoxie · 2008: James Siragousa · 2007: Bobby Strauss · 2006: Lucky Hollander, Susan Verrill, Susan Kimball, Linda Guiggey · 2005: Heidi Krieger · 2004: Marty Zanghi & the Maine Legislative Youth Council · 2003: Karen Westburg & Maddy Thibeault · 2002: Hugh Sipowicz & Sonya Gerry · 2001: Bill Dickenson · 2000: Representative Michael Brennan