Staff Reports | Free Press Philanthropy
Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation, a Phoenix-based nonprofit organization providing opportunities and empowerment for the state’s foster youth, is thrilled to announce the receipt of a $70,000 grant courtesy of BHHS Legacy Foundation.
This funding will empower AFFCF’s Keys to Success and post-secondary programs by addressing critical challenges youth face in navigating healthcare and pursuing careers in the medical field, representatives of the effort say.
A portion of the grant will support and enhance the Keys to Success program by providing program participants with an assessment of healthcare insurance access and referrals for navigation assistance to utilize healthcare services. Funding will also support healthcare career scholarships under AFFCF’s post-secondary programming.
“Our organization is honored to receive this generous contribution, which will ensure that older foster youth will continue to access higher education, employment opportunities and housing,” said Luis De La Cruz, CEO and president of Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation, in a prepared statement. “We’re so excited to support the next generation of healthcare heroes that will learn and grow with AFFCF’s programming, thanks to this grant from the Foundation.”
BHHS Legacy Foundation supports organizations that enhance health and quality of life in the Greater Phoenix area and the Tri-State region of northern Arizona. It does this by funding grants to nonprofits with health-related programs, nurturing collaborative partnerships, and raising funds through Legacy Connection to support community organizations. To date, BHHS Legacy Foundation has invested more than $110 million in nonprofits to support programs in our communities.
“We value our long partnership with Arizona Friends of the Children Foundation and their commitment to helping successfully transition children from foster care to stability and permanency through improving health outcomes and increasing workforce skills,” said Gerald Wissink, CEO of BHHS Legacy Foundation.
AFFCF’s Keys to Success program serves current and former foster youth aged 16-26 in ensuring an equitable start to adulthood.
It supports youth in career exploration, education, financial literacy and housing, and provides personalized guidance through individualized service plans that address transportation, interview preparation and technological access. The nonprofit’s post-secondary programming assists youth aged 18-26 through funding school tuition and associated fees with attending higher education. This program also operates a Focus Forward Fund, which addresses financially detrimental emergency circumstances that could potentially derail a foster youth’s ability to go to college or vocational training.
