Our Program Team also led interactive meal planning, cooking and budgeting exercises. One activity was a competition between Mentoring Matches in which each Match had to plan a meal of $10 or less made from at least 3 ingredients that included at least one protein and vegetable. Matches maneuvered through the store, noting selected ingredients, their costs, and the approximate number of people the completed meal could serve. The winner at $6.51 for 2 to 4 servings was an easy noodle stir fry made with chicken, ramen noodles and a frozen vegetable mix.

Another fun activity was to create a shopping list for a week’s worth of groceries within a $50 budget. This activity needed 3 items from all major food groups (fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains and dairy). Matches roamed the store, marking their scavenger hunt cards with the delicious foods they would buy. They quickly realized how important meal planning is and the benefits of buying ingredients that could be used in various dishes.

This was the first UPshop that our AmeriCorps Members fully planned. Maya and Manu did a fantastic job of equipping our teens and young adults with the skills needed to shop for and make affordable, healthy meals. And it was a blast!

Our goal is for the youth to leave every UPshop with something tangible to continue practicing what they learned. Each participant received a canvas shopping bag and gift card—teens received $25, and young adults living on their own received $50. Most were put to immediate use as mentees wanted to purchase some of the items they discovered.

This was one of our most hands-on and robust UPshops. In a fun and relaxed manner, it imparted many useful skills needed for everyday adulting. Our big thanks to Save Mart on Gerber Road for kindly hosting us with a private space in the breakroom, encouraging exploration of the store and providing a delicious deli lunch. We loved the positive energy and seeing mentees and mentors get so much out of this event.

Once a mentee is part of the Aging UP community, they continue to be. When approached about her wishes, Davani asked to be matched with another mentor. Based on similar interests and personalities, a new mentor was quickly identified. Davani was matched with her second mentor, Cara*, in July 2021.

Within months of being re-matched, Davani was placed more than an hour’s drive outside of Sacramento County. That was no problem for Mentor Cara, who went above and beyond, traveling the extra distance to maintain time with Davani.

Davani continued to have placement changes and lived in 3 different foster homes before returning to an independent living program in Sacramento during her high school senior year. Through all of this—placement changes and uncertainties—Cara remained a constant in Davani’s life. In 2023, Davani graduated high school and enrolled in community college. Davani is now 19 years old and on track to receive two AA degrees in the summer of 2025.

It has not been easy for Davani to work and maintain good grades. Yet, she has remained committed. This past summer, however, Davani experienced stress, which required mental health services. Thankfully, she was not alone. Davani not only had her mentor but also our AmeriCorps Member Maya, who provides hands-on adulting support. Maya drove Davani to mental health services and stayed with her throughout the intake process, modeling self-advocacy. Mentor Cara took the following day off work so she and Davani could spend time together and enjoy a peaceful nature walk.

One of Davani’s recurring stressors was difficulty finding and maintaining a job. She continued meeting with Maya for hands-on support. Maya connected her with Compassion Planet, a partner organization specializing in workforce development. Davani now has steady work hours of paid, on-the-job training!

Back on track, Davani resumed courses but still felt overwhelmed and tired of working so hard without seeing immediate benefits. She was planning to give up after earning her associate degrees. She met with Maya to discuss this. Maya empathetically listened and explored future life scenarios with and without a 4-year degree.

Davani is interested in a career in law enforcement and realized the long-term benefits of gaining a bachelor’s degree. She now plans to transfer to Sacramento State University in the fall of 2025.

We are so proud of Davani and honored to offer her and all our mentees a caring and consistent mentor with resources and support from our program team. We are grateful to our community of supporters who invest in our mission and make this work possible—thank you! If you would like to join them, please visit agingup.org/give-support today!

*Names changed for confidentiality

If you want experience working with diverse communities and are excited to equip youth from foster care to succeed, this unique opportunity may be the perfect fit for you! During this one-year commitment, the member will serve an average of 18 hours weekly, gaining hands-on experience working with volunteer mentors, teens in foster care, and various professionals in the field.

Responsibilities include assisting with mentor recruitment, screening and training, coordinating events, gathering data, and assisting with overall services that support the mentors and youth in our Program. Comprehensive training is provided and required, ensuring you have the tools and knowledge to excel in this role. Please see the service description for more details.

If this interests you, apply by submitting your resume and cover letter to Program Director Kecia at kecia@agingup.org by July 28.

This position is under the California Foster Youth Initiative AmeriCorps Program in partnership with California Volunteers.

Maya was born in Israel and moved to the United States in 1982, moving throughout the Bay Area and the Los Angeles area for many years. Maya became independent at age 17 and, ultimately, raised her daughter as a single mother.

Maya draws upon her own healing journey to empathetically connect with others. She is especially passionate about helping teens and young adults find their inner strength and success. This drew her to our program. She was part of Cohort 6 Mentor Training. After successful completion, she was even more invested in our mission and, after an exciting conversation, she was invited to apply for the AmeriCorps position. She became a welcomed addition to the team in December 2023 and renewed her contract in August 2024!

Within her AmeriCorps role, Maya is the Youth Developer for Aging UP. This involves building rapport and providing hands-on adulting support to the older teens and young adults in our program. She works side-by-side with our youth, assisting them in creating resumes, looking for jobs and securing resources or supportive services throughout the community. She was even recognized as The Child Abuse Prevention Center‘s AmeriCorps Member of the Month in June 2024!

When not working, Maya enjoys movement through Pilates and walking. She also finds joy in baking and cooking for her family. We love having her gentle demeanor and hard work as part of our team!

If you have experience in volunteer management, working with diverse communities and a passion to see youth from foster care succeed, this may be the perfect opportunity for you!

The Volunteer Coordinator will work closely with our Program Director to assist with mentor recruitment, training and retention efforts. The Volunteer Coordinator will also plan group events for Mentoring Matches, coordinate newsletters, collect surveys and enter information into an easy-to-use database.

Training is provided and required. During this 9-month commitment, the individual will serve an average of 33 hours per week gaining hands-on, direct experience working with volunteers as well as teens in foster care and various professionals in the field.

Essential duties include supporting all efforts related to mentor enrollment and coordinating support services so mentors can best support the youth in our program.

If this sounds like you, please see our service description and submit your resume and cover letter to Program Director Kecia at kecia@agingup.org by Oct. 27.

Want to know more about AmeriCorps? Check out this short video!

Faith simultaneously works as a server at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, a job she has had for a while now. She is also a dedicated student with less than one year from completing her bachelor’s degree in child and adolescent development in the study of social and community contexts from California State University, Sacramento.

As Aging UP’s FYI AmeriCorps Member, Faith is especially passionate to help youth in foster care because she was in foster care at one point. Faith is also planning to go into social work after her degree. She lives in Elk Grove and, when she is not working or studying, she enjoys walks around the park, painting, reading, and cleaning…yes cleaning.

If you have experience working with diverse communities and a passion to see youth from foster care succeed, this may be the perfect opportunity for you!

The position’s responsibilities include coordinating the Youth Leadership Group, assisting transition-age youth on a one-to-one basis with employment and college opportunities (resume, FASFA, Chaffee Grant, etc.), leading valuable life skills presentations, providing assessments to youth, assisting with group events, and supporting other important program functions.

Training is provided and required. During this 11-month commitment, the individual will serve an average of 18-20 hours per week gaining hands-on, direct experience working with teens in foster care as well as various professionals in the field.

Essential duties include providing supervision and mentoring to a small group of emerging leaders, assisting with overall services that support all the youth in our program, and coordinating group events.

If this sounds like you, please see our service description and submit your resume and cover letter to Program Director Kecia at kecia@agingup.org by July 28.

You can learn more about AmeriCorps at by watching What is AmeriCorps and California Volunteers AmeriCorps.

If you have experience working with diverse communities and a passion to see youth from foster care succeed, this may be the perfect opportunity for you!

During this 10-month commitment, the individual will serve an average of 22 hours per week gaining hands-on, direct experience working with teens in foster care as well as various professionals in the field.

Essential duties include providing supervision and mentoring to a small group of emerging leaders, assisting with overall services that support all the youth in our program, and coordinating group events.

If this sounds like you, please see our service description and submit your resume and cover letter to Program Director Kecia at kecia@agingup.org by July 21.