Every week at All Saints Church we put our faith into action. This Sunday the featured ministry is the Foster Youth Project and our focus is two bills in the California Legislature aimed at helping foster youth transition into a productive adult life.

One bill is Senate Bill 885 – Supporting Foster Youth in Community Colleges. It will expand the NextUp program to additional campuses within the California Community College (CCC) system by removing an existing cap on the number of districts that can receive funding. The bill also streamlines administration of the program and creates flexibility around unit enrollment requirements.

Information sheet on SB 885 – Supporting Foster Youth in Community Colleges

The other bill is AB 1615 – Former Foster Youth Housing. California is home to the largest population of foster youth in the nation, serving nearly 60,000 children and youth. Each year, nearly 3,500 of these youth “age out” of the system, left to navigate an increasingly unaffordable housing market with limited financial aid and support. While California has invested in programs to assist former foster youth, these programs do not have the capacity to ensure all of these youth make a transition into safe, stable housing. This bill would increase housing options for transition age former foster youth by expanding the eligibility and program duration for existing housing programs.

Information sheet on AB 1615 – Former Foster Youth Housing

We ask that you sign two letters. One letter is to your member of the California State Senate supporting SB885 and the other letter is to your member of the California State Assembly supporting AB1615.

Options to Take Action:

1. Sign the Action Letters at the Action Table outside the church on Sunday morning.
2. Download pdf copies of the Action Letters that you can sign and mail:
   Action Letter for SB 885 -Community College    Action Letter for AB1615 – Housing

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If you ever need to look up your member of the U.S. House of Representatives or your U.S. Senators check here: www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.

To find contact information for your California State Senator or California State Assemblyperson check here: www.senate.ca.gov and www.assembly.ca.gov.