Family and Youth Initiative (DCFYI)

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Family and Youth Initiative (DCFYI) Creating community & lasting relationships for teens/young adults who are in/aged out of foster care. We match teens with host parents and mentors.

Family & Youth Initiative (DCFYI) creates a supportive community and lasting relationships for teens and young adults who are in or have aged out of foster care. Through events and advocacy we help teens find adoptive families and others who are committed to supporting them and being in their lives long-term. If you are an adult in the Washington, DC metro area who wants to make a tangible difference in the life of an area teen, please join with us and be part of our community.

10/16/2026

We asked members of our community to describe DCFYI in one word. Together, their answers paint a picture of what this community is really about.

For one person, it might be hope.

For another, family.

For someone else, connection, trust, joy, or belonging.

Every word tells part of the story.

DCFYI was created around a simple but powerful idea: young people in foster care deserve the opportunity to build relationships with caring adults who can become a lasting part of their lives. 🙌

Those relationships can look different for everyone.

A mentor who offers guidance.

A host family who opens their home.

A friend who keeps showing up.

An adult who becomes part of a young person's community long after the formal program ends.

What starts with a connection can grow into something much bigger. 🌳

What word would you choose?

When Dayar first met Leah through DCFYI, neither knew where their relationship would lead.They started with a shared lov...
10/15/2026

When Dayar first met Leah through DCFYI, neither knew where their relationship would lead.

They started with a shared love of cooking. Leah became a mentor, helping Dayar navigate decisions about his education and future. Over time, their friendship grew into a bond that felt like family.

For Leah, the decision to adopt came unexpectedly. For Dayar, the realization came when he needed someone by his side during a hospital stay.

Their story is a powerful example of how relationships can grow when young people have the opportunity to connect with caring adults. 🙌

At its heart, DCFYI is a community of people who believe in the importance of family. Through mentorship, hosting, and adoption, those connections can become a lasting part of a young person's life.

Learn more about DCFYI and how you can help create lasting connections.

https://www.dcfyi.org/volunteer-opportunities-0

Be the adult a young person knows they can count on.For teens in foster care, relationships with caring adults can becom...
10/14/2026

Be the adult a young person knows they can count on.

For teens in foster care, relationships with caring adults can become an important part of their lives.

A mentor can be someone who gets to know them beyond their circumstances. Someone who learns what makes them laugh, listens to what they have to say, encourages their interests, and builds trust over time.

You may not know what a relationship will look like when you begin. But you can decide to make room for one.

Learn more about becoming a DCFYI mentor: https://www.dcfyi.org/become-mentor

Behind every DCFYI program are people who make connections possible. 🙌People who volunteer their time. People who open t...
10/13/2026

Behind every DCFYI program are people who make connections possible. 🙌

People who volunteer their time. People who open their homes. People who drive teens to events. People who mentor. People who decide that building a relationship with a young person is worth making space for.

The work of DCFYI is ultimately about people connecting with people. 🤝

If you've been wondering how you can become part of that, start by learning more about the opportunities available and how you can help create lasting connections for teens in foster care.

https://www.dcfyi.org/volunteer-opportunities-0

Getting involved with DCFYI does not have to start with a big commitment. Sometimes, it starts with simply showing up.Co...
10/12/2026

Getting involved with DCFYI does not have to start with a big commitment. Sometimes, it starts with simply showing up.

Come to an event. Talk with an adult volunteer. Meet DCFYI teens. Ask questions. Learn about the different ways people contribute their time, energy, and support.

You may discover that volunteering is right for you. You may find another way to support the organization. Or you may simply leave with a better understanding of the community and the young people at the heart of it.

There is no single way to get involved, and there is no need to have everything figured out before you begin.

Check the DCFYI website calendar and RSVP for an upcoming event here:

https://www.dcfyi.org/civicrm/showevents

The first time someone walks into a new community, they may not know if they belong there yet.For a teen coming to a DCF...
10/09/2026

The first time someone walks into a new community, they may not know if they belong there yet.

For a teen coming to a DCFYI event, it might take time to feel comfortable. It might take another event, another conversation, another familiar face.

Then something changes.

They recognize people.

They know someone will be happy to see them.

They have a friend to look for when they arrive.

That's how belonging can grow. Not from one big moment, but from many small experiences that quietly say: You are welcome here.

That is the kind of community DCFYI works to create for teens in foster care. ✨

Help build a community that young people in foster care can return to, grow within, and feel connected to.

https://www.dcfyi.org/volunteer-opportunities-0

We’re grateful to have National Capital Bank supporting Establishing Roots as a Sustaining Stream Sponsor. 🙌Support from...
10/08/2026

We’re grateful to have National Capital Bank supporting Establishing Roots as a Sustaining Stream Sponsor. 🙌

Support from community partners like National Capital Bank helps make this gathering possible and strengthens our shared commitment to creating lasting connections for young people.

This special celebration brings people together around one shared commitment: helping teens in foster care experience the gift of family.

Thank you, National Capital Bank, for helping us put down stronger roots. 🌳

Join us in celebrating the community behind Establishing Roots. Learn more and get involved today

https://www.dcfyi.org/civicrm/event/info?id=790

Tonight, we gather. 🙌Establishing Roots brings our community together for an evening of good food, drinks, conversation,...
10/07/2026

Tonight, we gather. 🙌

Establishing Roots brings our community together for an evening of good food, drinks, conversation, and connection while supporting Family & Youth Initiative’s work with teens and young adults in and who have aged out of foster care.

There’s still time to join us.

📍 North Hall of Eastern Market
⏰ 6:30–8:30 PM
🎟️ Tickets available at the door

Come be part of Establishing Roots tonight!

https://www.dcfyi.org/civicrm/event/info?id=790

Celebrating the businesses and individuals who help make space for connection, generosity and support at Establishing Ro...
10/06/2026

Celebrating the businesses and individuals who help make space for connection, generosity and support at Establishing Roots.

We are pleased to recognize bananasfosterinc as part of our Establishing Roots Donor Spotlight.

Their generous contribution of six Savannah Bananas jerseys worth $420 is one of the many donations helping make this year’s silent auction possible.

We appreciate their generosity and the role they are playing in helping strengthen our community and support for young people in foster care.

The Establishing Roots auction is officially LIVE! You can browse, bid, and support Family & Youth Initiative whether yo...
10/05/2026

The Establishing Roots auction is officially LIVE! You can browse, bid, and support Family & Youth Initiative whether you’re joining us in person or participating from home.

Our fundraising reception takes place Wednesday, October 7, from 6:30–8:30 PM at North Hall of Eastern Market, with drinks, good food, and better company.

Tickets will also be available at the door.

Can’t make it? You can still be part of Establishing Roots through the auction from wherever you are.

Start bidding today and support Family & Youth Initiative.

https://event.auctria.com/d7825d23-9650-4529-93ec-b024fcbca6d6/aa6cd270-8751-11e9-a741-3fcfcb35cbb0

Address

853 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Suite 200
Washington D.C., DC
20003

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+12028630975

Website

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