While our mission of serving youth aging out of foster care hasn’t changed in the 16 years ILYA (Independent Living for Young Adults) has been a social justice program at First U, there have been many changes over the years. New projects like New Apartment Kits and Baby Showers were added. Processes changed to keep up with the times like volunteers texting with their students when sending Student Care Packages.
Some additional exciting changes have been underway with ILYA that are going to take us to new heights. A leadership team has been formed that is based on skills and interest rather than projects that need to be managed. It allows the passion volunteers have for a particular aspect of our projects to be their focus rather than having “to do it all.” This makes the program that much more sustainable by avoiding burnout and adding even greater motivation to “do more” which is what our team always wants. Click here to view our new organization chart!
And do more we already are! Our new Communications Coordinator has already made our social media accounts more active. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! She’s updating and upgrading our brochure and is creating an ILYA webpage that will link to the First U website.
Barbara Crowell will head-up the leadership team with all the passion she’s brought to the ILYA mission all these years. As a team, we look forward to our continued partnership with you in 2021. Together, we will reach even higher goals for “our” youth. Thank you for your continued, fantastic support!