Thank you to each of the 109 people who chose to invest in our mission and empower youth with foster care experience toward healthy, self-sufficient futures!

It was incredible to watch generosity pour in throughout the day. We are honored to have received matching funds from Nugget Market, Brent Gove eXp Realty Group, and Friends of Aging UP (a small group of volunteers and former mentors). Because of these committed dollars, the impact of every investment up to $13,000 went twice as far in supporting youth who deserve it most!

Our services of one-to-one mentoring, positive recreation, life skills education and adulting support serve as a preventative approach to some of Sacramento’s largest issues, like homelessness, human trafficking, substance use, and mental health challenges.

Mentoring relationships offer more than just a trusted friend and role model. They help to ease anxiety, build resiliency and support overall mental health, which ultimately heals the effects of trauma. As one of many — nearly 900 — deserving nonprofits that were reaching out for support, we appreciate every gift received and every like and share to spread the word.

These tax-deductible dollars will equip 13-to-24-year-old youth from foster care with the skills and resources needed to thrive into adulthood.

Big Day of Giving is a program of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation to raise unrestricted funds for nonprofit organizations that strengthen the capital region. This year, the region raised $15.4 million dollars for local nonprofits! It is an inspiring day of philanthropy that began in 2013, and we are proud participants.

Numbers are preliminary, before potential company giving campaigns, mailed checks, and BDOG prizes or Golden 1 matching funds.

Our services of one-to-one mentoring, positive recreation, life skills education and adulting support serve as a preventative approach to some of Sacramento’s largest issues, such as homelessness, human trafficking, substance use, and mental health challenges.

Your tax-deductible generosity will equip 13-to-22-year-old youth from foster care with the skills and resources needed to thrive into adulthood. Plus, $5,000 will be matched thanks to our Sponsors, Brent Gove eXp Realty and HopSkipDrive! 

Mentoring relationships offer more than just a trusted friend and role model. They help to ease anxiety, build resiliency and support overall mental health, which ultimately heals the effects of trauma. We know we are among many—more than 800—deserving nonprofits reaching out for support, and we appreciate your thoughtful consideration to invest in our mission.

Give today at bigdayofgiving.org/agingup!

If you are a Golden 1 Credit Union member, please give with your G1 debit or credit card. Golden 1 will proportionally match donations among all the nonprofits!

Big Day of Giving is a program of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, raising unrestricted funds for more than 800 nonprofit organizations that strengthen the capital region. It is an inspiring day of philanthropy that began in 2013, and we are proud to participate.

But you don’t have to wait for this special 24-hour period—YOU can give now through 11:59 pm on May 2 at bigdayofgiving.org/agingup! Thanks to our friends Brent Gove Team eXp Realty, the first $2,500 donated will be matched!

Sacramento is among the cities with the highest rates of human trafficking in the nation. Too many of its citizens are experiencing homelessness, drug or alcohol addiction and mental health challenges. Unfortunately, former foster youth disproportionately face such outcomes. But YOU can empower change!

Our research-based services of one-to-one mentoring, positive recreation, and life skills education offer a preventative approach to such adverse outcomes. Your investment in our mission empowers youth who deserve it most.

Your tax-deductible generosity equips 13-to-21-year-old youth from foster care with the skills and resources needed to thrive into adulthood.

There are 820 nonprofits participating in Big Day of Giving this year, and we are rooting for all of them. We also know we are not the only organization reaching out for your support, and we appreciate your thoughtful consideration of investing in our mission. Not only will your gift immediately impact a young person who deserves it most, it will also improve the overall community as we empower youth from foster care to grow into happy, healthy, self-sufficient adults.

Give today at bigdayofgiving.org/agingup!

Big Day of Giving is a program of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation to raise unrestricted funds for nonprofit organizations that strengthen the capital region. It is an inspiring day of philanthropy that began in 2013 and we are proud to participate.

Aging UP Commits to Serving Youth in Foster Care Amid Coronavirus Pandemic and Invites the Community’s Support on Big Day of Giving

Sacramento, Calif, May 1, 2020 – Youth in foster care served by the nonprofit Aging UP continue to find support, resources and mentorship during the coronavirus pandemic. With proceeds raised on Big Day of Giving, May 7, Aging UP is committed to helping more youth in foster care connect, grow and succeed, even during this crisis.

Youth in foster care often lack the emotional and educational supports necessary to grow into happy, healthy and successful adults. They disproportionately face homelessness, physical and mental health problems, criminal involvement, low educational attainment, and other disadvantages. “We know that too often youth in foster care lack a consistent, positive adult relationship. As an organization, we remain committed to the youth we serve and, especially because of the mental health challenges caused by this crisis, we are continuing with plans to connect more youth with safe and caring mentors. Of course, we need the financial support from our community to do so,” said April Johnson, Aging UP Co-Founder.

Aging UP serves youth in the Sacramento region stretching from Galt to Roseville, where according to The University of California at Berkley, California Child Welfare Indicators Project, there are more than 1,900 youth in foster care.

In 2016, Aging UP was founded by professionals with child-welfare, mentoring, and nonprofit experience. As friends who saw unmet needs for local youth in foster care, they combined their passions and professional skills to develop Aging UP’s trauma-informed service model. “Aging UP’s services are unique for the Sacramento area. We recruit volunteer mentors from the community who must pass a rigorous screening process and undergo more than 20 hours of training. And yet, we continue to grow and see more and more interest,” said Kecia Sakazaki, Aging UP Co-Founder.

“The weeks and months ahead will continue to be a challenge for our region, for our youth — who are the most impacted by this crisis — and for our organization. However, we are ready to lead and able to serve our region’s youth in foster care,” said Enrique Ruacho, Aging UP Board President. While many nonprofits are considering cuts to their programs due to the crisis, Aging UP’s Board approved a scalable plan to grow and expand its service model during this crisis. “This is the time when we are called to action. And we are lucky to have a dedicated leadership team who volunteers their time and is passionate about our mission and overcoming the challenges ahead,” said Ruacho.

Aging UP will continue to provide one-on-one mentoring, positive activities, and independent living skills education virtually, while following state and county guidelines related to the coronavirus pandemic. “The heart of our program is based on one-to-one mentoring. Typically, this involves the mentor and youth enjoying activities together throughout the community. As soon as the coronavirus affected school districts, we began adapting our program so mentors would have the tools and resources to continue connecting with their youth,” said Sakazaki.

“This crisis will not define us. How we lifted and supported each other will be the legacy of this challenging chapter. That’s why I am inspired by Aging UP’s mission and its commitment to youth in foster care,” said Delaine Eastin, former California Superintendent of Public Instruction.

“Now, more than ever, young people need the support, guidance and friendship of adults. For the youth we serve, this need is even greater as teens in foster care have experienced past traumas that are being triggered by this pandemic. They are trying to cope with the current situation, which is a challenge for the most mentally healthy and resourced among us. A mentor provides teens with a healthy, adult relationship to help cope with the uncertainty and isolation they may feel,” said Sakazaki.

Aging UP is one of 615 nonprofits participating in Big Day of Giving, a 24-hour, community-wide day of philanthropy that takes place online and is organized by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. Aging UP acknowledges the economic challenges caused by this crisis yet encourages the community to support its mission, and other vital nonprofit work, by either donating or volunteering. “Nonprofits rely on the generosity of our community to provide critical services that make our city a happier, healthier and safer for all. The support we receive through Big Day of Giving will be a large indicator of the increased number of youth Aging UP can serve during this crisis,” said Johnson. The funds raised by Aging UP will provide more youth from foster care with necessary mentoring relationships. Volunteer opportunities include mentoring, administrative and other professional services.

About Aging UP

Aging UP is a nonprofit with a mission to empower youth with experience in foster care to successfully transition into adulthood. Founded in 2016, Aging UP offers one-to-one mentoring, positive recreation and independent living skills education to Sacramento region youth, ages 13-19, who have any experience in foster care. To support Aging UP through Big Day of Giving or to learn more about volunteering, please visit agingup.org or email info@agingup.org.

Media contact: April Johnson 916.267.7359 ext. 2 or april@agingup.org.

About Big Day of Giving

Big Day of Giving is a program of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation to raise unrestricted funds for nonprofit organizations that strengthen the capital region. Since 2013, the giving day has generated nearly $40 million for more than 600 local nonprofits!