Innovative Tax Credit Yields $17M+ for Foster Youth in Three Years
Back in 2021, JBAY proposed a new poverty-reduction measure for foster youth: the nation’s first-ever Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC). Thanks to the visionary support of Governor Gavin Newsom, former State Controller Betty Yee, and Senator Anna Caballero, the measure passed and received its first year of funding in the 2022 California state budget. Now, […]
Intro To Sarah Pauter, Our New Executive Director
Sarah’s story begins long before she arrived at JBAY. “I’ll never forget the month I turned 18, emancipated from foster care, and graduated from high school,” she says. “I got my diploma and walked across the stage to shake hands with the Board of Supervisors. They gave me a $500 check and basically said, ‘Good […]
Three Questions for Our Three Newest Board Members
We are overjoyed to introduce the three newest members of our JBAY board of directors. Meet Carmela Clendening, Director of State & Local Government Affairs & Public Policy at BlackRock, leading the firm’s efforts in the Western U.S.; Thor Kaslofsky, Executive Director of the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure, overseeing the development and economic […]
Remembering the One and Only John Burton
With a heavy heart, we share the news of our beloved Senator John Burton’s passing on September 7, 2025. Much has and will be said of Senator Burton’s remarkable service and unparalleled leadership over the course of his nearly six decades in office. As Deputy Attorney and State Assemblyman, as a four-term member of the […]
A Warm Welcome to Three New JBAY Team Members
We can’t wait for you to meet our newest JBAY teammates, Chris, Christina, and Zach. This group boasts a wealth of experience and expertise, and has such true, deep dedication to service. We are honored to welcome, learn from, and collaborate with them to improve the lives of youth across California. Chris Jenne, Senior Project […]
HUD Honors Simone Tureck Lee, JBAY’s Director of Housing & Economic Mobility
At the May 29th Fostering Promise Youth Housing Summit in Santa Clara County, Will Spencer, Region IX Administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), recognized Simone Tureck Lee, JBAY’s Director of Housing & Economic Mobility, for her leadership in preventing homelessness among California’s former foster youth. Every year in California, approximately […]
Meet the Newest Members of JBAY’s Housing & Economic Mobility Team
We are thrilled to introduce the three newest members of JBAY’s Housing & Economic Mobility team, a trio whose combined talent, dedication, and heart is truly off the charts. We could not be more grateful and inspired to work alongside these individuals to improve the lives and well-being of young people across our state every […]
California Students in Foster Care Receive $6.1 Million for College Savings
July 3, 2025, Sacramento, CA – Earlier this week, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the 2025-26 state budget announcing the allocation of $6.1 million to fund the expansion of Assembly Bill (AB) 2508, originally signed into law in September 2024 and sponsored by John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY), which widens eligibility for a supplemental college […]
Congratulations to the Class of 2025
Last week, JBAY invited this year’s college graduates from around the state to gather in celebration at Cal State LA. It was a beautiful event, marking an incredibly significant moment in many lives. Today in California, 10% of foster youth graduate from college – a rate significantly higher than in any other state, one that […]