For most of us, young adulthood included a few missteps: forgetting to pay a bill, getting into a fender bender, or paying school fees a few days late. And for most young adults, these missteps are quickly resolved, often with the help of an extended family member to offer financial and emotional support.
Sadly, that’s not the case for youth who have been in foster care or homeless, who lack a network of caring adults who can quickly step in to assist. For these young people, a single misstep can quickly lead to homelessness, job loss and dropping out of school.
That’s why JBAY is pleased to announce the launch of the Burton Critical Needs and Opportunity Fund, to provide direct financial assistance when youth need it most.
The Burton Critical Needs and Opportunity Fund will partner with community-based organizations across California to pay expenses related to youths’ critical needs and opportunities. Youth must be between the ages of 16 to 26 and have been in foster care or experienced homelessness. There is no maximum amount a youth can receive.
JBAY Youth Advocate Patrick Gabbett knows what a big difference this kind of help can make. When a roommate contracted COVID, Patrick was kicked out of his apartment, so that the roommate could quarantine. Patrick had no family to help him, and he was suddenly homeless.
JBAY stepped in to help, providing Patrick with money to pay for a hotel room. This allowed him to stay enrolled at Sacramento City College, where he is studying Library Science. JBAY’s direct financial assistance also prevented Patrick from experiencing the violence and trauma that young people disproportionately experience living even a night on the streets.
“JBAY provided me with a safety net,” says Patrick. “Growing up as a foster kid, I am so used to having to tough it out. The fact that I was readily offered help, I cannot overstate how much this meant to me.”
In addition to addressing critical needs, the new program will also provide youth with funding to pursue their passions, whether they be music, art, athletics, or other opportunities. JBAY Board Member Pat Dodson strongly supports the Burton Critical Needs and Opportunity Fund. She understands how even a small amount of help at the right time can make all the difference.
“JBAY’s Critical Needs and Opportunity Fund is unique in that funds will be readily available to individuals before their lives are seriously disrupted by an unanticipated expense. One, too frequent example, is having a bicycle stolen, which is often a youth’s only means of transportation to school and work. Thanks to this new program, youth will have funds available to replace that bicycle before class time or a job is lost.”
The JBAY Board of Directors has committed to raising $250,000 for the Burton Critical Needs and Opportunity Fund, which will start providing direct financial support to youth in July 2022. The fundraising campaign kicks off in April 2022 and 100% of funds raised will go directly to young people.
To learn more about the Burton Critical Needs and Opportunity Fund or to donate, please follow this link.