New York State has a parental responsibility to the kids in its child welfare systems, and the alliance works to make sure our leaders are helping these young people realize their full potential.

While Children’s Aid leads the alliance, it is very much a coalition of more than 100 organizations and hundreds of advocates. So far the group has had a huge impact on the well-being of foster youth by securing historic budget funding for financial and social supports designed to help more foster youth land on a college campus and stay there.

Overcoming towering challenges

Historically, the outcomes for youth who have aged out of foster care have been staggering. The Fostering Youth Success Alliance came together to change that fact here in New York State. Since its inception, the alliance has secured funding that has increased with each new budget. As part of its advocacy, the alliance has enlisted hundreds of youth from every corner of the state to make the case in Albany as well as City Hall. All of the youth advocates leave feeling empowered and with the knowledge that they have made their voices heard.