Fostering Connections

Fostering Connections Uplifting youth impacted by foster care or trauma. Essentials I Educational Programs I Community

🎉 The countdown is on... and you don't want to miss this! 🎉We're kicking off a brand-new year of Career & Life Skills Ju...
08/06/2026

🎉 The countdown is on... and you don't want to miss this! 🎉

We're kicking off a brand-new year of Career & Life Skills Jumpstart, and you're invited!

Join us on Thursday, August 20 for an evening of fun, food, games, prizes, and new friends as we celebrate the launch of our newly reimagined monthly program.

This isn't your typical workshop—it's a kickoff party! Come meet other teens, enjoy a great meal, win prizes, and get a sneak peek at all the exciting topics we'll explore throughout the year, including money management, career readiness, healthy relationships, cooking, independent living skills, and so much more.

đź“… Thursday, August 20
🕠 5:30–7:30 p.m.
đź“Ť Fostering Connections
7751 Belfort Parkway, Suite 200
Jacksonville, FL 32256

Open to youth ages 13–18 impacted by foster care, adoption, or kinship care.

✨ Bring your energy, your curiosity, and get ready to Jumpstart your future!

👉 Register today: https://forms.gle/HhKEyVFezrwUDCiL8

đź“Ł Your Voice. Your Future. Your Chance to Make a Difference.The Florida Youth SHINE 2027 Legislative Priority Survey is ...
08/05/2026

đź“Ł Your Voice. Your Future. Your Chance to Make a Difference.

The Florida Youth SHINE 2027 Legislative Priority Survey is now open, and we want to hear from YOU!

If you're 13–26 years old and have lived experience in foster care or homelessness, this is your opportunity to help shape Florida Youth SHINE's legislative priorities for 2027.

Your experiences matter, and your voice can help influence the issues we take to lawmakers during the upcoming legislative session.

**The survey is open through August 16.

👉 Take the survey here: https://forms.gle/enZHAaHXU26qj7dQ8 or scan the QR code.

đź’™ Represent the Jacksonville Chapter! Be sure to select the Jacksonville Chapter when completing the survey. The chapter with the most youth responses will receive a $300 prize to support chapter meetings, youth activities, and more!

Already completed the survey? Share it with your friends! You do not have to be a current Florida Youth SHINE member to participate—just have lived experience in foster care or homelessness.

Together, let's make sure the voices of Northeast Florida youth are heard loud and clear!

đź’™ One opportunity can change everything.This summer, Desiree* joined Fostering Connections' Career Readiness Academy wit...
08/05/2026

đź’™ One opportunity can change everything.

This summer, Desiree* joined Fostering Connections' Career Readiness Academy with one goal: to build a brighter future for herself and her baby. As a high school student and young mother with lived experience in foster care, Desiree spent the week building practical job skills, practicing interviews, connecting with local employers, and growing in confidence.

Those connections quickly turned into opportunity.

Shortly after graduating from the program, Desiree was hired by Publix through a connection she made during Career Readiness Academy.

Today, she's continuing her education while beginning her employment journey—taking important steps toward financial stability, independence, and a brighter future for herself and her child.

Stories like Desiree's remind us that when young people are given opportunities, encouragement, and a strong support system, incredible things can happen.

Thank you to our community partners, volunteers, donors, and employers who make stories like this possible. Together, we're helping youth build brighter futures.

Name changed to protect privacy.

08/04/2026

🎳 What a great afternoon at Teen Talk! 💙

This weekend, 17 incredible teens and 3 amazing volunteers came together at Jax Lanes Bowling for an afternoon of fun, laughter, and connection.

Teen Talk is more than just an event—it's a place where youth impacted by foster care, adoption, and kinship care can build friendships, create lasting memories, and simply enjoy being teenagers.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this afternoon so special. We can't wait to see you at our next Teen Talk in September at Happy Brew!

đź’™ Because every young person deserves a place to belong.

đź’™ Looking for a meaningful way to give back this August?Join the Fostering Connections volunteer team and help create li...
07/31/2026

đź’™ Looking for a meaningful way to give back this August?

Join the Fostering Connections volunteer team and help create life-changing experiences for youth and families affected by the foster care system.

This month, we're looking for volunteers for three exciting programs:

🎳 Teen Talk – Help create a fun, welcoming space where teens can build friendships and enjoy a positive afternoon together.

👉 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C4EACA62FA4FC1-61373522-2026 #/

🏡 Family Empowerment Night – Support families by helping with dinner, activities, and creating an encouraging environment. (Stay tuned—exciting updates about this program are coming soon!)

👉 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C4EACA62FA4FC1-63560336-2026 #/

🚀 Career & Life Skills Jumpstart – Encourage teens as they build confidence, develop practical life skills, and prepare for the future.

Whether you're greeting families, serving a meal, mentoring youth, or lending a hand behind the scenes, there's a place for you on our team.

No matter how you choose to serve, you'll help create connections, inspire hope, and make a lasting impact.

👉 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C4EACA62FA4FC1-64703666-2026 #/

We'd love to serve alongside you this month!

A new school year brings new opportunities—and we're excited to help teens prepare for what's next.This August, we're la...
07/30/2026

A new school year brings new opportunities—and we're excited to help teens prepare for what's next.

This August, we're launching our newly reimagined Career & Life Skills Jumpstart, a monthly program designed to help youth impacted by foster care, adoption, and kinship care build confidence, develop practical life skills, and prepare for adulthood in a fun and supportive environment.

Join us on Thursday, August 20 for our kickoff event! We'll enjoy dinner, games, prizes, and great conversations while introducing the exciting topics we'll explore throughout the year—from career readiness and money management to healthy relationships, cooking, and independent living skills.

Whether you're joining us for the first time or returning from one of our previous programs, we'd love to welcome you!

đź“… Thursday, August 20
🕠 5:30–7:30 p.m.
đź“Ť Fostering Connections
7751 Belfort Parkway, Suite 200
Jacksonville, FL 32256

This program is open to youth ages 13–18 impacted by foster care, adoption, and kinship care.

Registration is now open! We hope you'll join us as we kick off an exciting year of learning, friendships, and opportunity.

đź”— Register here: https://forms.gle/JbVpnegFdHiYbATJ6

Career & Life Skills Jumpstart
Jumpstart your future. đź’™

đź’» Join Us for Virtual Career & Life Skills Jumpstart!Building life skills doesn't have to happen in a classroom. Join us...
07/29/2026

đź’» Join Us for Virtual Career & Life Skills Jumpstart!

Building life skills doesn't have to happen in a classroom. Join us from the comfort of home for our upcoming Virtual Career & Life Skills Jumpstart, where youth will gain practical tools, build confidence, and prepare for the future through engaging, interactive discussions.

Whether you're getting ready for your first job, thinking about life after high school, or simply looking to develop new skills, this workshop is a great place to learn, ask questions, and connect with others.

This program is open to youth ages 13–18 impacted by foster care, adoption, or kinship care.

đź“… Wednesday, August 5
đź•– 5:30 - 6:30pm
đź’» Virtual

Registration is now open! 👉 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/rC0EyeMYTcOI0jmD1DZAtw

We hope you'll join us as we continue to Jumpstart your future! đź’™

đź’™ 2026 Sponsor Spotlight: The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida đź’™Fostering Connections is honored to recognize ...
07/28/2026

đź’™ 2026 Sponsor Spotlight: The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida đź’™

Fostering Connections is honored to recognize The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida for their generous $5,000 grant in support of our 2026 Career Readiness Academy.

This investment is helping equip youth impacted by foster care, adoption, and trauma with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to build successful futures. Through our Career Readiness Academy, participants explore career pathways, develop workplace and financial literacy skills, practice interviewing, connect with local employers, and prepare for life beyond high school.

Partnerships like this do more than fund a program—they create opportunities, inspire confidence, and open doors for young people who deserve every chance to succeed.

In recognition of their generous support, we are proud to welcome The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida as a member of our Empowerment Society.

Thank you for believing in our mission and for investing in the potential of the youth and families we serve. Together, we're creating brighter futures throughout Northeast Florida.

đź’™ Please join us in thanking The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida for helping create a lasting impact in our community.

Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can offer a young person is a new perspective.For many youth impacted by foster ca...
07/28/2026

Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can offer a young person is a new perspective.

For many youth impacted by foster care, adoption, and trauma, it can be difficult to see beyond today's challenges. That's why every encouraging conversation, caring mentor, new opportunity, and supportive community matters. Together, we help young people discover that their past does not define their future.

At Fostering Connections, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to dream, grow, and build a future filled with hope.

đź’™ Thank you to everyone who walks alongside the youth we serve and reminds them that their possibilities are endless.

Volunteer Spotlight: Lisa Lang-LopezAt Fostering Connections, we're incredibly fortunate to have volunteers who consiste...
07/24/2026

Volunteer Spotlight: Lisa Lang-Lopez

At Fostering Connections, we're incredibly fortunate to have volunteers who consistently show up with generous hearts and a willingness to serve—and Lisa Lang-Lopez is one of those special people.

Lisa has been a dedicated volunteer across many of our programs, including Family Empowerment Night, Career & Life Skills Workshops, Career Readiness Academy, Teen Talk, and our Gala. No matter the event, she is always ready to jump in, lend a hand, and do whatever is needed to help create a positive experience for the youth and families we serve.

Beyond her own volunteerism, Lisa has expanded our impact by introducing Fostering Connections to Uptown Civitan, where she is an active member. Thanks to her leadership and enthusiasm, many of her fellow Civitan members have joined our volunteer team, allowing us to serve even more youth and families throughout Northeast Florida.

Lisa's consistency, compassion, and servant's heart have made her an invaluable part of the Fostering Connections family. Whether she's welcoming guests, assisting with activities, supporting behind the scenes, or encouraging young people, she brings positivity, kindness, and dedication to everything she does.

Lisa, thank you for believing in our mission and for sharing your time, talents, and heart with Fostering Connections. Your commitment has made a meaningful difference, and we are grateful to have you as part of our volunteer community.

💙 Thank you, Lisa, for helping create brighter futures—one act of kindness at a time.

Address

7751 Belfort Parkway, Suite 200
Jacksonville, FL
32256

Telephone

+19048135809

Website

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