Voices of Change: JBAY Welcomes New Youth Advocates
Governor Newsom has unveiled his January budget proposal for the 2025-26 fiscal year, marking a shift toward stability with a modest surplus following two years of deficits. While the news is promising, challenges remain, including potential federal cuts and the unknown costs tied to the devastating LA fires. For a detailed breakdown of what this […]
Transforming the Holidays
For many, the holiday season is a time for family, tradition, and celebration. But for Erin Clews, a Youth Advocate Mentor at John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY), the holidays were once a stark reminder of isolation. JBAY Interim Executive Director Debbie Raucher recently spoke with Erin about her reflections on the season and her […]
From Barriers to Bridges: New FAFSA off to a Promising Start
For CJ Cook, attending college was never part of the plan. Entering the foster care system at age nine and coming from a family with no history of higher education, he didn’t see college as a possibility. His junior year of high school was disrupted by the challenges of the Covid pandemic, and two weeks […]
The Pathway from Trauma to Resilience Highlighted at JBAY Gala
Last night, JBAY held its annual gala, a memorable event that celebrated John Burton’s 92nd birthday and JBAY’s twenty-year anniversary. Amid the networking, mingling, and inspiring speeches honoring our Burton Champions, the keynote speech from JBAY Youth Advocate Wednesday Pope stood out as a highlight of the evening. Her words served as a poignant reminder of […]
JBAY Welcomes Two Esteemed Leaders to its Board of Directors
John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) is thrilled to welcome two distinguished individuals to its board of directors: Bob Giroux and Greg Lucas. Joining in October, Bob and Greg bring decades of advocacy and state government expertise that will help further JBAY’s mission to improve the lives of California’s youth with experience in foster care […]
Esme Nuno Mora Drives Change for Homeless Students
JBAY celebrated the remarkable achievement of Youth Advocate Esme Nuno Mora this November, coinciding with National Youth Homelessness Awareness Month. Esme was selected to receive a prestigious scholarship from the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY). Out of hundreds of applicants, she was one of a small group of students […]
Swinging for Fences Results in Homerun for Foster Youth College Affordability
Senator Angelique Ashby shared on a recent webinar hosted by JBAY that she “wanted to swing for the fences and do something big for foster youth” when she arrived in the legislature two years ago, an apt analogy in light of the LA Dodgers’ recent World Series victory. A new report from the Urban Institute […]
JBAY Conference Inspires and Motivates Both Students and Allies
“I’ve never been in a space where I felt more loved and seen.” These heartfelt words came from a student participant at JBAY’s 2024 Blueprint for Success conference, held this week in Los Angeles. The event brought together nearly 800 attendees to network, learn, and celebrate—all with the shared mission of supporting youth with experience in foster care […]
JBAY Report Highlights Needed Changes to College Cost of Attendance Policies
Managing finances while attending college can be tough, but for Krystle it was even more complicated. Her unexpected challenge? Turning down financial aid because of something called the Cost of Attendance (COA). The COA determines the maximum financial aid a student can receive, but when colleges underestimate true expenses, students often don’t get the support they […]