Youth Homes Cloud Gazing  

July Newsletter 2013
BeattheoddsGreetings! 

The odds were stacked against Cookiey Ropati when she started high school four years ago. As a foster child, she had less than a 50 percent chance of graduating from high school and a less than 3 percent  chance of going to college. But with substantial
Vivica Taylor Barbara Ropati
Vivica Taylor with Cookiey Ropati
help and
support from Youth Homes and Aftercare Clinician Vivica Taylor, Ropati graduated from Olympic Continuation High School in June. She is headed to Los Medanos College in Pittsburg this fall. "It's important that we keep those services because if we didn't, most of us foster youth wouldn't make it through high school or graduate,"
said Ropati, 18, who now lives in Antioch. "It's very difficult for foster youth to go to school and have to think about where they're going to stay, what they're going to eat, and who they can talk to

in order to get things done."  Read the full story featured in the Contra Costa Times.

 

Youth Homes would like to thank Aftercare Program Clinician Vivica Taylor for your work and dedication in serving our youth.  Great job Vivica - you are making a difference in the lives of foster youth!  
WaystoGive
Ways to Give 

 

There are a multitude of ways to give back to Youth Homes. From online giving or writing a check, to attending an event or donating clothing or volunteering - charitable giving is easier than ever.  Here are some ways you can give.

 

Start a Giving Circle: Giving circles are rapidly becoming a popular way for individuals to channel and amplify their philanthropic impulses.  What is a Giving Circle? 

Online Giving: The Internet is transforming the game of philanthropy. You can Connect with us Online and be sure your donation is secure.  Even when small, every gift can make a difference!  

Giving of Stocks: We welcome gifts of any stock, common or preferred. To donate stock, please contact Laurel Pendleton at (925) 933-2627 x 116 or email laurelp@youthhomes.org. We will provide you with information about our brokerage account.

Donate Items: Clean out your closets and donate that old clothing to the Youth Homes Auxiliary Thrift Shop or check out Youth Homes Wish List.  All proceeds serve foster youth within Youth Homes programs.

Vehicle Donation Program: Have a used auto you don't need anymore?  Click Here to find out more.

Make a Pledge: The benefits of making a New Pledge are seen when you break it down: $15 a month (50¢ per day) = $180 per year or $30 a month ($1.00 per day) = $360 annually! 
Gala
Gala Save the Date 
Did you know you can give back to Youth Homes by attending our annual fundraising event?  

 
"Hearts for Hope" is an evening that includes; music, dinner, dancing, games, prizes and more - all for a great cause!  Put on your dancing shoes and invite a partner.

Visit our website to stay up to date on ticketing prices, auction items and more.  

 

QUICK LINKS

 

Spring Newsletter 

 

YH Programs & Services

 

YH Auxiliary Thrift Shop  

 

Have feedback about this newsletter?  Contact us!

 

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FourthFun
      4th of July Fun!      
Each year, Youth Homes is awarded tickets to the annual 4th of July Jubilee and Parade that includes a Pancake Breakfast held at Todos Santos Park.  This year, several Youth Homes residents were able to attend and join in the festivities. Thank you to our good friends at the Concord Diablo Rotary Club for making this possible!    
We appreciate you!
Fourth of July Jubilee

 

 

QUICK LINKS

 

Spring Newsletter 

 

YH Programs & Services

 

YH Auxiliary Thrift Shop  

 

Have feedback about this newsletter?  Contact us!

 

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Redeeming our Youth From Prostitution

RedeemRecently a nationwide sting operation arrested 150 pimps and 105 child prostitutes in 76 American cities.  The majority of these kids were young women.  This has been an increasing problem for all foster care agencies for many years.  We are therefore grateful for the support of law enforcement.  A number of the kids rescued were from Contra Costa County.  The Justice Department estimates that nearly 450,000 kids run away from home each year and that one-third of the kids living on the street will be lured into prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home.  There is a debate within law enforcement regarding whether to arrest these young women, often as young as 13, or release them to treatment programs.  One side says these young girls are not old enough to understand the risks they are taking and what harm may come to them.  The other side says the system is punishing the victims and that helping the girls find safe housing, supported counseling and returning to school is in their best interest. 

   Youth Homes, Inc. lines up with the latter theory of practice.  After these children have been literally brainwashed into believing their pimps truly love and care for them, we have seen some young women make the self-destructive choice to revert back to prostitution, even after being placed in foster care. We have worked with many more who are able to understand both the short term and long term consequences of that choice who decide not to go back to the streets. 

  In an odd reversal of fortune, it is the foster child who has a system of care waiting to help them.  For young women and boys not in the foster care system, the choices are often difficult, even bleak.  For those kids, usually estranged from their families, there are few programs available to help them. One rescued child, interviewed by a local television station said, "I would rather be abused by someone I don't know than by someone I do know."  It is a national problem. 

   For the past 48 years Youth Homes, Inc. has dedicated itself to stopping human trafficking.  We have seen young and vulnerable foster kids bullied, threatened and coerced into a life of prostitution.  We have succeeded in providing a safe and loving environment to counter these predators.  We are working against the human trafficking industry that now accounts for 32 billion dollars in profits every year. 

Your support is helping to stop this assault on the most vulnerable of our society.  Your gifts are needed now to help continue our efforts to protect kids from the sex trafficking industry - your Thank you,
Stu Sig 
Stuart McCullough
Executive Director