GRANTEE HIGHLIGHT
SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND AWARDEE FACING FOSTER CARE
The Social Justice Fund, which started with a generous contribution by John Rubini and Clare Bertucio, and has expanded through the donations of many others, focuses on emerging social justice needs in Alaska and encourages collaboration among organizations tackling social justice issues.
Facing Foster Care in Alaska (FFCA) received a Social Justice grant in 2017 for its innovative approach to improving the foster care system in Alaska. Formed and led by current and previous foster care youth, FFCA aims to support foster youth and reverse Alaska’s ranking as the state with the second highest per capita number of foster youth waiting for adoptive homes in the nation.
Today, the young people leading FFCA regularly advocate at the legislative and judicial levels. They also work diligently to ensure that foster youth have access to mentorship and peer support, education about their rights and resources, leadership training, and tools such as laptops and quality clothing to help them succeed. Their latest project involves launching the Office of Youth Empowerment, one of the first of its kind in the nation, in partnership with University of Alaska Anchorage’s Child Welfare Academy.