ILYA (Independent Living for Young Adults) is a First U social justice that project supports young people aging out of foster care and church members are wonderful at actively supporting the team efforts. A new direction the team took this year is to incorporate some technology in our processes and procedures. We now have “College Care Package” recipients texting and emailing sponsors to let them know packages have been received and what some needs might be. We've also put many of our records and procedures online to give easier access to team members and allow for greater collaboration without having multiple versions of documents floating around.

The team member most responsible for these advances is Amy Barch (along with Carolyn Gibson). The ILYA team would like to give big congratulations to Amy and her husband, Alex, on the recent birth of their daughter Lia Marie. Lia decided she couldn't wait to be the newest First U baby and came early! She is doing well in the Christiana Hospital NICU.
Please join the ILYA team members in offering congratulations to Amy and Alex and sending prayers and positive energy to Lia Marie for a speedy release from the hospital.