Hope and A Future

Teen reach adventure camp (trac) is A summer camp for children in foster care who are 12 to 15 years old and royal family kids camp (rfkc) is A camp for foster children from 7 to 11 years old. These camps are positive, faith-based summer camp experiences that offer Hope and encouragement to foster children that may have suffered abuse, neglect or abandonment. These camps are specifically designed to ensure the success of every foster child who attends camp. The camp also provides meals, shelter, clothing and childcare while campers attend the camp. (see schedule o)a total of 382 foster children participated in summer camp and 728 volunteers. The estimated value of volunteer time for the camps exceeds $2,400,000.

The annual christmas celebration is A festive gathering for our children and their loved ones, including arts, crafts and presents for young and old, available to children who have attended our programs, their foster families and our volunteers. Children and their families receive A meal and gifts, including clothing as part of the event.this year, approximately 600 volunteers, foster children and families participated in the christmas program and over 3,000 gifts were distributed to Arizona foster children.

Each year over 800 children "age out" of the system when they turn 18. According to statistics, one out of five will become homeless, one out of four become incarcerated, 67% will drop out of high school and only 3% will ever graduate from college. The goal of life 360 is to change these statistics and provide Hope to these children that reside in the foster care system. Through this mentoring program, foster children focus on basic skills like money management, household management, planning for college, job skills, and personal health. The program provides clothing, cash assistance, and help with various basic needs along with training that foster children need in order to provide A pathway of success in their chosen careers. (see schedule o)in addition, transitional living support is provided for former foster children who have aged out. Support includes housing deposits, rent, utilities, cell phone service, and transportation support. Two condominiums were also purchased during the year to provide temporary housing for those in need. This year, 514 foster children and 196 volunteers participated in the life 360 program. The estimated value of volunteer time for the life 360 program exceeds $300,000.

Hope & A Future provides A scholarship program for A graduating foster children. Scholarships are provided for tuition and books, and other basic needs including housing assistance, food, bus passes and cash assistance in order to attend college or acquire vocational assistance. Additionally, children receive on-going mentoring in their chosen career path to help ensure success.

Through the Arizona blue ribbon, foster families are allowed to bring their foster children and other family members to events during the year at no cost to the family. This year, approximately 5,000 foster parents, foster families and foster children attended Arizona rattler's and Arizona diamondback's game. At the blue ribbon events, children receive food and gifts.