From our first-ever Friendsgiving to holiday gifts from Friends of Aging UP and our annual Holiday meetUP, we are sprinkling in special moments that remind our youth that they matter and belong.

WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS NOW

During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, many often pause to think about others—strangers and neighbors who may be in need or struggling. That’s why it’s the most generous time of the year. Nonprofits of all sizes rely on the generosity of this season to sustain their work. Aging UP is no exception, and every gift matters!

As we embark on the New Year, we aim to welcome 5 new teens into the program by early 2026. This means we need to raise $25,000 between GivingTuesday (Dec 2) and December 31. Thanks to our Board of Directors, $2,500 of GivingTuesday donations will be matched! End-of-year funding kickstarts the investments needed to help us reach our vision of serving 100 youth annually and expanding our young adult services through age 26 by 2030.

5 MEANINGFUL WAYS TO MAKE AN IMPACT

As you reflect this holiday season, we invite you to join our caring community by supporting youth from foster care in one—or more—of these impactful ways:

Invest Financially:  Your gift creates year-round hope through mentorship, recreational experiences, and hands-on adulting support. Every dollar counts! Invest online, through PayPal or by mail (PO Box 293504, Sacramento, CA 95829)

Request In-honor Gifts: When loved ones ask what you want this year, share that they can donate in your honor. You’ll receive a card acknowledging the gift, and everyone will feel great about it!

Host a Holiday Drive: Hosting a party? Invite friends to bring cash or gift cards for our program. Gift cards will go directly to youth, providing autonomy, choice and a sense of independence.

Volunteer Your Time: Explore volunteer opportunities, from becoming a mentor to sharing your skills in unique ways to support our mission.

Give from our Amazon Wish List: Purchase items from our wish list that support our teens or our program, and they’ll be sent directly to us on your behalf.

CREATE A SEASON FILLED WITH HOPE

Your investment of time, talent or treasure helps ensure local youth from foster care grow into happy, healthy, self-sufficient adults.

If you’re ready to make a difference or want to explore ways to give, please contact Community Director April at april@agingup.org.

Together, we can make the holidays matter. Join us—before December 31—and give hope to teens who deserve it most.

For youth from foster care and individuals with similar experiences, the holidays can trigger sadness, disappointment and seclusion. Many may yearn for a sense of belonging as they face the season without the support and stability others seemingly take for granted.

This is why connection matters. Caring gestures like active listening, offering genuine emotional support, or simply being present can make a meaningful difference to someone who may be struggling.

Be part of our caring community this holiday season by supporting youth from foster care in one of these five impactful ways:

– Host a Holiday Gift Card Drive: Organize a drive to collect gift cards for local retail and grocery stores or restaurants. Gift cards give youth the sense that someone cares and allows them to choose something personal, boosting their autonomy.

– Volunteer Your Time: Discover what it takes to become a mentor or offer your skills in other ways. Opportunities include helping at events, organizing fundraising or supply drives, utilizing your expertise to lead workshops for our teens, or consulting with our staff.

– Invest Financially: Make a special donation any time during this season. Your investment provides holiday hope, mentorship and essential services. Every dollar counts!

– Request Gifts in Your Honor: When loved ones ask what you want this holiday season, let them know they can donate on your behalf. You will receive a card, and everyone will gain a feel-good gift!

– Give from Our Amazon Wish List: Purchase items for teens or needed program supplies from our wish list, and they’ll be sent directly to us on your behalf.

Your involvement—whatever special way that may be—can bring light to youth from foster care by creating a more inclusive and compassionate holiday season. Join us in ensuring that youth who deserve it most feel valued, seen and celebrated.

If you’re ready to make a difference this holiday season, contact Communications Director April at april@agingup.org to inquire about ways to invest in our mission.

We know there are many well-deserving local and national organizations to support this holiday season. As we continue to celebrate 5 years of empowering youth from foster care, we ask that you please give your time, voice and/or dollars to join us!

Your generosity toward our mission will do good today and for years to come. Our research-based services of one-to-one mentoring, positive recreation and life skills education for 13-to-21-year-old youth offer scientifically proven supports that buffer the effects of trauma and build resiliency. They also offer long-term benefits that enable youth to beat statistics — high rates of homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration, etc. — and thrive!

Check out the ways YOU can give empowerment this holiday season.

TIME

• Sign up to become a mentor or a volunteer.
• Plan and hold a fundraiser (bake sale, gift card drive, etc.) on our behalf.

VOICE

• Like and share our messages on social media.
• Encourage others to donate and get involved!
• Vote on issues that benefit youth from foster care.

DOLLARS

• Give any amount through our website, PayPal, Facebook, or mail a check (PO Box 293504 Sacramento, CA 95829).
• CA state employees can give through the Our Promise United Way campaign until Dec. 31.
• Other companies, like Nordstrom, VSP, Kaiser, etc., offer payroll donation options as well.
• Mail gift cards for local restaurants, attractions, retailers or grocery stores so youth can enjoy constructive free time or get much-needed items!
• Purchase a program item from our Amazon Wish List that will be sent directly to us on your behalf.

Thank you for your generosity, and happy holidays!

We know there are many well-deserving local and national charities and appreciate your support to empower youth with experience in foster care to beat statistics and thrive.

There are many ways to support our mission. Please consider how you can give to empower youth this holiday season.

DOLLARS

• Give any amount online or by check.
• Donate gift cards to local restaurants, attraction venues, and retail or grocery stores so youth can enjoy constructive free time or gain much-needed items!
  • Gift cards and/or checks can be mailed to us at PO Box 22963 Sacramento, CA 95822.
• Purchase something from our Amazon Wish List that will be sent directly to us and given to teens or used for program purposes.

TIME

• Sign up to become a mentor or a volunteer.
• Designate Aging UP as your AmazonSmile charity then use our link every time you shop to support our mission at no cost to you!

VOICE

• Like and share our messages on social media.
• Encourage others to donate and get involved!

Thank you for giving the gift of empowerment!