1. Grant Proposal: Together We Rise Tigran Alexanian, Jacqueline Conroy, Thana Wong

2. Together We Rise Have you ever wondered how many children enter the foster care system in the United States? Approximately 1,200 per day Non-Profit agency devoted to improve the lives of foster children in America by collaborating with the community (Brea, CA) Provides resources Utilize service-learning activities to educate volunteers Collaborate with foster agencies, social workers, advocates, and partners to bring awareness across the nation Provide new bicycles, college supplies/tuition, suitcases Family fellowship program and Aging out program to assist in transition Our Mission Statement: “Together We Rise is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the way youth navigate throughout the foster care system in America.”

3. The Problem Each program is designed to address: Children constantly transporting from location to homes and usually given a trash bag → Suitcases (teddy bear, blanket, hygiene kit in duffel bag) Children in foster care lack simple joys of childhood → Provide bikes for teenagers to assist in transporting to school/work 3% of youth in foster care graduate from college → family fellowship (10-15 freshman provided with $90,000 for college expenses ● Foster Youth are the most vulnerable population in society lacking basic necessities and stability to function optimally ● Unprepared to support themselves financially in independent living skills development ● Inability to establish a smooth transition plan to adulthood ● Unprepared to support themselves financially. ● Experience high rates of employment, homelessness, and incarceration

4. Agency Goals Improve sense of normalcy, which will enhance psychological well-being Increase self-esteem and decrease levels of stress correlated with trauma Create programs and raise awareness through service Mobilize young people to make a difference in their community Open minds to the idea of foster parenting and adoption

5. Credibility Platinum rating on GuideStar (source of information for non-profits) Youth Development Programs (050) Foster Care (P32) Various Sponsors Toyota JetBlue Wendy’s AIG Life Insurance MattressFIRM Assisted youth in over 50 states Surveys to determine how effective programs are and how to improve “How important do you think our services are for transitioning foster youth?” Average response: 4.7/5 Strong social media presence, which allows focus groups to do annual polling (polls are geared towards foster parents/agencies indicating whether children came with trash bags or nothing) 550k+ followers on facebook 32k followers on Instagram 70k+ Twitter

6. Methods and Goals- Jacci

7. How is your solution unique Jacci