Summer Leadership Retreat 2022

Foster Power is a dynamic training curriculum created by Foster Youth in Action, CYC and Soul (School of Unity and Liberation) that lays the groundwork for effective grassroots organizing strategies with authentic stakeholder engagement. Our friends in the Foster Youth in Action network and staff/leaders in the CYC network will co facilitate this 2 day training for active CYC regions to establish basic protocols and strategies for grassroots campaign development/organizing. Los Angeles Youth Organizers in the CYC community have held Foster Power convening and training for community stakeholders over the last few years, laying the groundwork for rallies and local policy campaigns in collaboration with Anti Recidivism Coalition, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Youth, Los Angeles County Department Child Family Services other and family/youth serving agencies. 

Foster Power Curriculum has been utilized by organizations as a tool to build capacity of organized local level groups of advocates in the child welfare and juvenile justice spaces while centering lived experience and authentic youth engagement as a strategy for creating healing and lasting impact for the most.

How to apply? Click the application button below to see if you qualify for one of the limited spots available. Members who meet the qualifications above will receive an email acceptance letter.

Wait! You don’t meet the qualifications? No worries, we will connect you to your nearest local chapter to get involved. Or you can visit our Youth Membership page to learn more.

Participants attending this conference will not have any out of pocket costs. Your travel to and from the event, lodging, and 3 healthy meals a day (vegan+vegetarian options available) and snacks will be provided.

If you have completed the application and have been selected, your CAC will contact you to help coordinate your travel arrangements and answer any questions or concerns you have with your travel plans. 

Do you have an android or apple mobile device? All registrants to the event will receive a link to add the first ever CYC Virtual Membership Card to your mobile wallet. You will also receive a virtual ticket for your entry into Foster Power. Collect participation points/organizer points and trade them in with a CYC staff for exclusive CYC NFT avatars to add to your virtual member card. Scan into the training and bonding activities to record your participation.

As a precaution in order to protect those most vulnerable in our community, we will require negative covid tests and a forehead thermometer reading at arrival. We will provide Rapid Tests for those who forget or don’t have one at the door. The use of facial coverings is encouraged for all participants to feel safe and validated to show up as their authentic selves.

Feeling under the weather but still want to attend workshops virtually? Stay home and rest! You can indicate your preference for a conference video link at the beginning of each day of the conference. Workshop recordings will be released through our channels (newsletter, social media, emails, calendar invites) the following week.

Yes. CYC will provide on-site childcare from a CPR/First Aid Certified Member of the CYC Community. You can request childcare accommodations by checking the box on your Foster Power Application Form. (Parents must provide a playpen if needed. In addition to baby food).

Participants will be staying at the university dorm, one room, two beds and one bath, and a small refrigerator. If you have questions or concerns around lodging, please reach out to your CAC or staff.

A floor plan of the dorms can be seen here: 

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The events over the span of the weekend will be live-streamed via 360 Conference Cameras to provide a more accessible and immersive/engaging experience for participants. You can indicate your desire for virtual participation on the registration form and we will make sure the zoom links and workshop recordings reach your inbox.