Foster Care Awareness Month
Donate to California Youth Connection
Your donation to California Youth Connection (CYC) directly supports foster youth (ages 14-24) in developing leadership skills and confidence, which can help them transition into a healthy and successful adulthood.
Support CYC’s 30 chapters throughout California, organizing statewide conferences, and covering travel and training expenses to ensure youth can meet with California legislators to directly impact policies.
May Events Throughout California
Contra Costa County – Youth Empowerment Summit: May 22, 2026
Get ready for an amazing gathering where young voices take center stage. This summit is all about inspiration, learning, and connecting with awesome people from everywhere. Whether you’re looking to boost your skills, share your ideas, or just hang out with like-minded peers, this is the place to be!
Why jump in?
- Interactive sessions led by cool speakers
- Networking with passionate youth across Contra Costa County
- Fun activities that spark creativity
Don’t miss out on this empowering experience – all happening totally accessible and led by peers.
Ventura County – Sibling Connection Retreat: May 30-31, 2026
May is Foster Care Awareness Month, and 2026 marks a historic milestone: exactly 25 years since California Youth Connection (CYC) codified the Foster Youth Bill of Rights into law.
While we celebrate this legacy, a critical gap remains. CYC findings reveal that many child welfare professionals still lack CORE training specifically focused on sibling connections. In honor of this anniversary, we invite Ventura County’s child welfare leaders, including Judges, Lawyers, Social Workers, and Resource Parents, to join us. We also extend this invitation to our partners in Community Based Organizations and advocates who support youth impacted by intersecting systems for this first-of-its-kind Storytelling Retreat.
Young people with lived experience in foster care are leading systems change. The members of California Youth Connection (CYC) organize, advocate, and drive policy changes to create a foster care system that works for young people, by young people.
This year CYC is proud to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of the Foster Youth Bill of Rights (FYBOR) in California. This landmark legislation formalized the legal rights of children and youth in foster care. CYC members played an important role in advocating and passing the FYBOR, and it became a model for the nation. CYC members continue to advocate and hold systems accountable, ensuring every young person knows and fully experiences their rights.
May is Foster Care Awareness Month and you can stand with CYC members who are continuing the legacy and shaping the future of foster care. The young leaders of CYC are at the forefront of our movement, using their lived experience, voices, and expertise to push for change across California.
Start a Foster Care Awareness Month Fundraiser for CYC
The California Youth Connection Foster Care Awareness Month 2026 Fundraising Toolkit is a step-by-step resource to help supporters promote their fundraising campaigns in honor of Foster Care Awareness Month. The toolkit provides guidance on how to engage your online networks to raise awareness and funds.
CYC’s fundraising toolkit includes campaign messaging, social media posts, and outreach strategies – making it easy for you to take action!
This Foster Care Awareness Month, support a youth-led organization that has a proven record of driving policy change and improving the foster care system.
Social Media Posts
Social Media Cover Images
Let your followers know that you support youth in foster care. This May, update your Facebook and LinkedIn Cover Images with CYC’s Foster Care Awareness Month social media banners.
What is Foster Care Awareness month?
Established in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan, Foster Care Awareness Month is observed every year in May. This nationally recognized month raises awareness about the needs and challenges youth in foster care face. While Foster Care Awareness Month sheds light to these issues, it is also a time to uplift and recognize the advocates, allies, workers, and organizations that work year-round to support youth in foster care.
How to Support Foster Care Awareness Month
An Initiative of The Children’s Bureau of the Federal Government, Foster Care Awareness Month is a time to uplift and support members of the foster care community who advocate every day for a better future for youth in foster care. There are several ways to get involved and show your support.
1. Learn & Educate Others
Research and learn about different aspects of the foster care system. Share what you learn (or already know) with colleagues, family, friends – or even online! Start the conversation and make sure you let your network know the importance of supporting youth in foster care.
2. Donate or fundraise to support Organizations Doing the Work Year-Round
Organizations like California Youth Connection (CYC) are supporting youth in foster care throughout the year. We are a youth-led nonprofit organization that empowers young people with lived experience to transform the foster care system.
3. Advocate
Contact your local lawmakers to show your support for policies that help youth in foster care. CYC’s current legislative issues include AB 1886: Ending Endless Probation for All Youth. This bill ensures all youth on non-custodial probation receive the same protections regardless of where they live or what placement they are in. Our other bill AB 2764: Youth Housing Access & Stability Act will standardize and clarify Extended Foster Care eligibility statewide, ensuring youth can access all housing options they are legally entitled to. Contact CYC today to learn how you can support these bills!
4. Volunteer
Programs like CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) recruit and train CASA volunteers in their community to ensure kids in foster care get the support and services they need. California has 44 CASA programs serving 52 counties. CYC has a Volunteer Supporter Program that you can get involved with as well. Volunteer Supporters collaborate with members to ensure that they have the resources they need to run a successful chapter, attend conferences, and participate in policy activities.
There are over 60,000 children and youth in California’s foster care system, and over 400,000 youth in the system nationwide. Foster Care Awareness Month is a time to amplify your support and advocacy for youth in foster care. We encourage you to get involved in whatever capacity you can. California Youth Connection has led a fundamental paradigm shift in child welfare policy in California and beyond, placing foster youth voice at the center of policymaking. Contact us to join our youth-led movement.
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Foster care Awareness Month Donation FAQs
What is Foster Care Awareness Month?
Established in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan, this nationally recognized month raises awareness about the needs and challenges youth in foster care face. While Foster Care Awareness Month sheds light to the issues, it is also a time to uplift advocates, allies, workers, and organizations that work year-round to support youth in foster care.
When is Foster Care Awareness Month?
Foster Care Awareness Month is observed every year in May.
Why should I donate to California Youth Connection (CYC)?
It is estimated that there are over 400,000 children and youth in the United States Foster Care System. In California alone, there are over 60,000 youth in the state’s foster care system. Far too often foster youth are not getting the support they need to thrive, leading to a higher risk of homelessness, unemployment, and involvement with the justice system. Investing in a better system of care – lead by the young people who have experienced it – supports better outcomes.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Your donation to California Youth Connection (CYC) is tax deductible! CYC is a tax-exempt public charity (EIN 94-3141616) All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. No goods or services are provided in exchange for your generous financial donation.
Will I get a receipt for my donation?
You will receive a confirmation from Givebutter with the receipt for your donation to the email address you provide at checkout.
You will also receive a Donor Acknowledgement Letter at the end of the year.
How can I donate to California Youth Connection (CYC)?
Your online donation will be processed by our third-party fundraising platform, Givebutter.
You can also donate by check. Checks can be made payable to California Youth Connection and mailed to:
PO Box 10675, Oakland, CA 94610