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 […]
Three Champions to Be Honored as JBAY Marks 20 Years of Impact
On December 12th, John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) will celebrate its 20th anniversary alongside Senator John Burton’s 92nd birthday at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. As part of this special occasion, JBAY will honor three exceptional champions who have demonstrated a deep commitment to improving the lives of foster and homeless youth in […]
Governor Signs Two JBAY Bills, Opening Doors to Higher Education for Foster Youth
Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the second of two bills, sponsored by John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY). The first is Assembly Bill 2137, authored by Assemblymember Quirk-Silva and co-sponsored by JBAY and the National Center for Youth Law. This policy change will increase school success among foster youth by authorizing county offices of education […]
John Burton Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award
On September 19th, John Burton was honored by the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center with a lifetime achievement award at their annual gala at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. According to Executive Director Shakirah Simley, “Senator John Burton received the Booker T. Washington Lifetime Service Award in recognition of his significant contributions through […]
JBAY’s Foster Youth Tax Credit Boosts Financial Stability with 17% Increase in Filers
Knowing what to do as a young adult can be challenging, particularly for foster youth who haven’t had a parent beside them each step of the way to teach them. Tax filing is one good example of a tedious, but necessary task of adulthood. Thanks to John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY), more foster youth […]
Wednesday Pope, Youth Advocate and Former Foster Youth, Appointed to California Youth Empowerment Commission
Preventing trauma is a strong motivation for Wednesday Pope, a Youth Advocate at John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY). This is just one of the goals she plans to pursue as a newly appointed member of the California Youth Empowerment Commission, the first statewide advisory body to consist exclusively of youth, aged 14 to 24. […]
National Coverage of JBAY Features 42% Increase in College Enrollment for Foster Youth
As children around the country were headed back to school, John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) was featured in the national publication, the Chronicle of Philanthropy, for its work to increase college success among foster youth in California. The feature-length article tells the 20-year story of how JBAY has worked to make higher education within […]
JBAY Unveils Ambitious Plan to Halve Educational and Homelessness Gaps
This month, John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) released its newly adopted strategic plan, a comprehensive roadmap to guide the organization through 2027. The centerpiece of the plan is an ambitious ten-year goal: to reduce the equity gap for postsecondary educational & career attainment among youth impacted by foster care and housing insecurity by half […]
JBAY’s Critical Needs and Opportunity Program Assists 1,392 Youth
The tally is complete: a total of 1,392 young people were assisted by the John Burton Advocates for Youth’s Critical Needs and Opportunity Program. The program runs from July 1 to June 30 of each year. It provides direct, financial assistance to youth who have been in foster care or experienced homelessness to address an […]