John Burton Advocates for Youth

John Burton Advocates for Youth Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from John Burton Advocates for Youth, Nonprofit Organization, 235 Montgomery Street, Ste 1142, San Francisco, CA.

JBAY improves the quality of life for youth in California who have been in foster care or homeless by advocating for better laws, training communities to strengthen local practices and conducting research to inform policy solutions. John Burton Advocates for Youth improves the quality of life for youth in California who have been in foster care or homeless by advocating for better laws, training communities to strengthen local practices and conducting research to inform policy solutions.

🎉 BIG NEWS: AB 2766 PASSES THE SENATE WITH UNANIMOUS SUPPORT! On August 20, AB 2766 cleared another major hurdle, bypass...
08/21/2026

🎉 BIG NEWS: AB 2766 PASSES THE SENATE WITH UNANIMOUS SUPPORT!

On August 20, AB 2766 cleared another major hurdle, bypassing the Senate Appropriations Committee and passing the California State Senate with unanimous support! AB 2766 now heads to the Governor’s desk where it will await a signature or veto by October 1.

AB 2766 would expand access to student housing and course enrollment for current and former foster youth and students experiencing homelessness, helping more students access the resources they need to succeed in higher education.

Thank you to Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens for his leadership in advancing equitable educational opportunities for students with experience in foster care and homelessness and to the Chair Senator Sabrina Cervantes and members of the Senate Appropriations Committee for their support on this critical legislation!

Thank you to for presenting AB 2766 on the Senate Floor!

We’re incredibly grateful to our co-sponsors , Homes, uAspire and the students, partners, advocates, and supporters who have helped move AB 2766 forward.

Take action today to show your support to the Governor! You can find a support letter template and more information about AB 2766 at: jbay.org/2026-advocacy.

One step closer! 🏠🎓

In 2026 the FYTC can provide up to $1,189 for youth who:​- Filed their 2025 state tax return​- Age 18-25 at end of tax y...
08/18/2026

In 2026 the FYTC can provide up to $1,189 for youth who:​

- Filed their 2025 state tax return​
- Age 18-25 at end of tax year (12/31/25)​
- In foster care on or after 13th birthday​
- Eligible for CalEITC (income between $1-$32,900, SSN/ITIN, and lived in CA at least half the tax year)

Find out more at jbay.org/resources/FYTC.

JBAY headed back to the Capitol yesterday to encourage the Legislature to further support children, foster youth, and fa...
08/13/2026

JBAY headed back to the Capitol yesterday to encourage the Legislature to further support children, foster youth, and families impacted by H.R. 1.

In the June budget, the legislature provided support for food banks, SUN Bucks, school meals, automated H.R. 1 exemptions, and county eligibility workers. The Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 hearing represented an opportunity to call for the State to take additional action to support children, youth, and families in the following ways:

• Trailer bill language to maximize food support for Californians including foster youth and people experiencing homelessness.
• Investments in the California Food Assistance Program to extend state food aid to 34,000 humanitarian immigrants.
• Funding for a one-time Family Food Supplement to stabilize nutrition for 49,000 families with children facing time limits because their parents are out of work or unable to get enough hours.

You still have time to support these anti-hunger efforts. Submit a public comment via email to the Senate Budget Subcommittee today, August 13. Details can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gf_YBa6z

Yesterday, JBAY's Youth Advocate Bayley Craig joined Dolores Huerta, renowned American labor leader and civil rights act...
08/12/2026

Yesterday, JBAY's Youth Advocate Bayley Craig joined Dolores Huerta, renowned American labor leader and civil rights activist, along with a coalition of advocates to call for state action to protect CalFresh food access. Without state support, Californians will go hungry - including foster youth, humanitarian immigrants, and families with children. Join us tomorrow morning, Wednesday August 12th at 9:30am with anti-hunger advocates to share your voice at the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 hearing, and email California leadership by Thursday August 13th, details here: Senate Hearing Public Comment: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sEsnrC0pQApPBPkw2cBKgnVlYkadW1sdbHcNSXIAWjs/edit?tab=t.0

After sharing his story, Bayley had this to say:

“It was an honor to meet Dolores Huerta and speak beside her. She’s done so many amazing things, and I draw inspiration from standing with her, advocating for the same causes. Speaking my story felt empowering. CalFresh held me through critical times—both as a child and as an adult pursuing higher education.

The takeaway I want people to leave with is this: millions are being hurt by these cuts, and here in California we’re fighting to create real solutions.

To the foster youth out there: never be afraid to speak your truth. Advocate for yourself, for fellow foster youth, and for others facing the same disadvantages. Supporting each other matters.”

John Burton Advocates for Youth presented two sessions at the 43rd Annual Student Financial Aid Research Network (SFARN)...
08/07/2026

John Burton Advocates for Youth presented two sessions at the 43rd Annual Student Financial Aid Research Network (SFARN) Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.

Our team shared important research and policy insights on two key issues impacting young people who have experienced foster care or homelessness:

True Cost of College in California - Aligning Cost of Attendance (COA) budgets with student realities. Presenters: Jessica Petrass (JBAY) & Laura Szabo-Kubitz (TICAS)

Rethinking Satisfactory Academic Progress - Evidence for policy and practice to remove hidden barriers to completion. Presenters: Jessica Petrass (JBAY), Janai Raphael (Lumina Foundation), & Ira Nichols-Barrer (Mathematica)

These presentations reflect our ongoing commitment to advancing equitable financial aid policies that help system-impacted youth access and succeed in higher education.

Grateful to our partners and everyone who joined the conversations. Momentum like this helps turn research into real policy change for California’s young people.

Dolores Huerta is coming to Sacramento and she's bringing a message state leaders can't ignore.Tens of thousands of Cali...
08/07/2026

Dolores Huerta is coming to Sacramento and she's bringing a message state leaders can't ignore.

Tens of thousands of Californians are about to go hungry because of cruel federal cuts in H.R. 1. Without state action, many young people aging out of foster care will not have enough food to eat, immigrant families will face the need to skip meals, and kids will go to school hungry.

On Monday, JBAY will rally with coalition partners at the State Capitol to demand Governor Newsom and the Legislature act NOW to protect our neighbors from hunger.

California has the power to stop this.

Join us. State Capitol West Steps | Monday August 10th from 9:00-9:30 a.m.

Last week, JBAY met with staff from Senator Sabrina Cervantes’ office to discuss AB 2251 (). Thank you to Adonis and Ric...
07/31/2026

Last week, JBAY met with staff from Senator Sabrina Cervantes’ office to discuss AB 2251 ().

Thank you to Adonis and Ricardo for the productive conversation. We were joined by Esmeraldo Nuño Mora, a constituent and recent UC Berkeley graduate, Bryan Almazan, a constituent and recent UC Riverside graduate, and Stephen Morales from UC Riverside’s Office of Foster Youth Support Services. This bill would improve transparency around college Cost of Attendance calculations and make it easier for students to access the full financial aid they need.

We’re grateful for the partnership and look forward to continuing our work to ensure California’s most vulnerable students can afford and succeed in college.

JBAY Senior Project Manager, Christina Lomeli, presented at the 2026 NASFAA National Conference. The panel, SAP Happens:...
07/24/2026

JBAY Senior Project Manager, Christina Lomeli, presented at the 2026 NASFAA National Conference. The panel, SAP Happens: Innovative Communication Strategies to Support Student Appeals and Aid Retention, also featured Daniel Barkowitz (University of Miami), Paul Friebus ( Tech Community College), Keri Gilbert (Stephens College), Christina Tangalakis (Antelope Valley College), and Karla Weber Wandel (University of Wisconsin-Madison).

The panel highlighted practical, student-centered approaches to SAP communication and appeals. JBAY shared how its Overlooked Obstacles research helped inform more transparent, consistent, and equitable SAP practices through the passage of California's AB 789.

Thank you to NASFAA and our fellow panelists for a thoughtful discussion on supporting student success.

It is not too late to claim the CA Foster Youth Tax Credit! What could $1,189 mean for a young adult who's been in foste...
07/23/2026

It is not too late to claim the CA Foster Youth Tax Credit! What could $1,189 mean for a young adult who's been in foster care?

It could help them:
đź“–Pay for college application fees or textbooks not covered by financial aid
đź‘”Buy professional attire for job interviews or work
đźš—Cover transportation costs to get to school or their first job
đź’ˇContribute to rent, utilities, or other essential living expenses
đź’µProvide some financial freedom to invest in their future

The Foster Youth Tax Credit is a lifeline for current and former foster youth, offering much-needed support as they work toward independence and success.

đź’ŞSpread the word so no one misses out! Learn more and check eligibility at jbay.org/resources/FYTC.

Will you help foster youth claim the money they have earned? 600 fewer foster youth have claimed the Foster Youth Tax C...
07/15/2026

Will you help foster youth claim the money they have earned?

600 fewer foster youth have claimed the Foster Youth Tax Credit than last year, leaving approximately $500,000 unclaimed. But there is hope! More than 4,000 current and former foster youth have already filed and gotten their money this season.

A conversation. A text message. A referral. Small actions can put real money back into the pockets of young people.

Take the pledge: tinyurl.com/2026FYTCPledge

Address

235 Montgomery Street, Ste 1142
San Francisco, CA
94104

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14153480011

Website

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