By: Crystal Willis, Youth Engagement Coordinator On May 15th, youth advocates and policymakers came together for an inspiring evening dedicated to strengthening advocacy skills and building bridges between residential leadership teams and state legislators. The event was designed with two primary goals: to empower residential leadership teams to effectively engage [...]
By: Tatum Abel, Peer Engagement Coordinator The foster care system is designed to protect children in vulnerable situations, offering them a haven when their biological families cannot safely provide care. However, data compiled by Kentucky Youth Advocates persistently shows that Black children are being removed from their homes more than [...]
By: Tatum Heath, Peer Engagement Coordinator As an advocate for youth’s rights and peer support for lived experts, I had the privilege of attending Children’s Advocacy Day in Frankfort, Kentucky, for the second time. Each year, the event provides a vital opportunity for individuals—especially those directly involved with children, families, [...]
By: Crystal Willis, Youth Engagement Program Manager From panels and retreats to trips to Kentucky Kingdom, 2024 has been a memorable year for True Up! We made impactful strides, not just in advocacy, but in building a more intentional and supportive peer network. By weaving in structural changes, we’ve been [...]
By: Crystal Willis Since 2011, True Up has been a beacon of support for young people in foster care across Kentucky. With a mission to help these youth transition from structured environments to self-sufficiency, True Up stands on several crucial pillars that guide its work and impact. Here's a closer [...]
By: Tatum Heath Growing up, my childhood was marked by experiences that left deep scars—neglect, instability, and abuse. These early adversities shaped my worldview and, at times, left me feeling like I was hopeless and stranded. But as I reflect on my journey, I’ve learned that there are ways to [...]
LOUISVILLE, KY – Everyone needs a safe, stable place to call home. However, a short supply of housing has made this increasingly difficult for Kentucky’s young people. The Fostering Connections: The Housing Landscape for Foster Care Alumni and Recommendations report, released today by Kentucky Youth Advocates, sheds light on the critical housing needs [...]
By Cynthia Schepers The Loneliness Epidemic Loneliness is an epidemic we all face – especially now that we have the technology to ensure we don’t have to go outside or interact with others. Even inventions such as the ATM have helped us have a way to avoid interactions with strangers. [...]
By Tatum Heath Foster care systems are intended to provide safety and support for children and adolescents who cannot live with their biological families. However, for LGBTQ+ youth, this journey through foster care can often be fraught with unique challenges and hurdles. In this blog, we explore the experiences faced [...]
Since 2011, True Up has been an initiative founded on empowering young people in foster care to gain the critical life skills they need to successfully transition from a structured environment to self-sufficiency in our communities. True Up is a caring family of foster care alumni who have faced [...]
