The afternoon started with a picnic lunch of sandwiches, chips, and cookies. Our most exciting special guests and co-leaders of the meetUP, Tracy and Tara from the Women for Wolves, along with Aria, a wolf-dog, were a special part of the adventure. A wolf-dog is exactly as it sounds, an animal resulting from breeding a domestic dog with a pure wolf or some combination of breeding within the types.

Aria has the appearance of a very large shepherd husky mix, yet despite her great size, she brought a calm and grounding presence. At first, Mentoring Matches observed her while Tracy and Tara shared about their work with wolves and wolf-dogs. They offered insight into their experiences and the importance of wildlife education and conservation. Matches also enjoyed time talking, laughing and engaging with one another in a relaxed outdoor setting. All the while, Aria sat patiently and was then rewarded with treats.

With full tummies and refilled water bottles, the group set out to walk the trails with Aria on a leash. Along the various paths, the environment shifted from flat open spaces to shaded paths or small banks near the water. The group tapped into quieter rhythms as nearby people fished and others rested in hammocks. There were also louder, funnier moments talking about the hardships of job hunting or their favorite animals.

At nine years old, Aria is considered an elder wolf-dog, yet she walked the path with graceful energy and trotted a bit into the water. Due to quality care and patient training, Aria is comfortable around people and quickly acclimated to our group. With Tracy and Tara nearby, the youth and mentors engaged Aria with careful touches.

Unique events like this help build real connections through shared positive experiences and learning. It’s very important for us to create opportunities for our youth to enjoy outdoor settings and activities. Not only does it offer a break from everyday routines, but nature also helps the body de-stress and self-regulate, which is a tool all people need, but especially important for people who have experienced trauma, like youth in foster care.

Before our time was over, mentees posed next to Aria for an impromptu photoshoot. Everyone appeared to leave feeling refreshed, inspired, connected and grateful. We love partnering with other nonprofits and are so grateful to Women for Wolves for this unique opportunity. It’s moments like this that remind us that growth happens when we are present, engaged and open to something new.

From the moment Mentoring Matches arrived, they were welcomed into a warm, mixer-style environment. As they enjoyed catching up and sipping sparkling cider, volunteers passed butternut squash soup shooters and pomegranate caprese skewers.

As Matches mingled, Mulvaney’s Co-owner Bobbin and Hospitality Manager Laurie began a warm and approachable etiquette lesson—sharing practical life skills on navigating social situations, starting conversations, and what to do when you’re unsure where to put a used skewer or cup. They also introduced both open and assigned seating customs, then guided Matches to beautifully set tables thanks to linens and place settings from Mulvaney’s.

The semi-formal 4-course meal flowed seamlessly, with pre-set harvest salads next. As the meal progressed, Bobbin demystified common dining questions (“Which glass is mine?” “What’s all this silverware for?” “Is it OK to reach for the bread?”), offering reassurance and real-world advice. Before entrees were served, Bobbin had shared the necessary tips on what to expect during more formal dining experiences, leaving time for Matches to simply enjoy the rest of the meal and one another’s company. Entrées of rotisserie chicken or a meatless applewood sausage, paired with creamy mashed potatoes and green beans, were then served. Dessert, of course, was pumpkin pie.

One mentee said, “…that was some of the best food I’ve ever had!”

This special gathering was made possible by a grant from Save Mart CARES Foundation. Save Mart store 623 on Kiefer Blvd. also generously provided the ingredients and collaborated with our Program Team to design a menu that was both tasty and easy to prepare.

After dinner, the celebration continued with raffle prizes, casual games of pool, and plenty of laughter and conversation. Watching our youth build genuine friendships with one another is one of the most rewarding parts of our community—and this gathering was full of those moments.

Friendsgiving was a joyful success, and we are excited to make it an annual tradition. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make it a meaningful and memorable experience.

Our recent UPshop was not only educational but also very fashionable. Thanks to fellow nonprofit Dress 2 S.O.A.R. (D2S) in partnership with Nordstrom Rack in Roseville, 10 of our youth indulged in a styling and shopping experience.

In this fashionable UPshop, we saw shy youth open up within the caring environment of their mentors and D2S stylists. Thanks to the guidance of skilled stylists, every youth had a positive shopping experience. As they ventured out of their comfort zone, they discovered newfound confidence and excitement in fashion choices and self-expression. The expert tips played a central part in helping each youth create personalized clothing ensembles, complete with shoes and accessories!

D2S has been a longtime friend. We partnered with them in 2018 for one of our first UPshops, focused on Professional Presentation. It is an honor and a joy to continue to partner with them and benefit from their work of building confidence through education and fashion.

The format of the event gave the sense of being in the same space together. It began as youth and mentors met in front of computer screens with their blank canvases and paint supplies. After several holiday-inspired ice breakers, Maya from Pinot’s Palette of Elk Grove gave step-by-step instructions on how to paint a charming snowman. Of course, individual style was highly encouraged, which resulted in unique paintings ranging from subtle to significant differences.

A couple of days before the meetUP, Founders and volunteers delivered holiday surprises to every teen in the program. They received festive bags filled with a DIY holiday project of wooden ornaments and paint pens, hot cocoa mix, candy, and everyday useful items of hand sanitizer, soap and holiday flavored lip balm. They also received a humorously commemorative 2020 ornament. Those who registered for the paint party received their paint kits. Finally, thanks to our friends at Ticket to Dream Foundation in partnership with Famous Footwear, many of our teens also received new shoes!

This was a special way to wish our teens a happy holiday season and to maintain our community. During paint strokes and drying time, participants chatted or asked questions as Christmas music played in the background. This sense of belonging is a very important part of our program. We are proud to continue to provide fun ways to engage, celebrate and support our teens—especially during this challenging year.

This Group meetUP began with a tasty lunch in a private room across from the lanes that Mentoring Matches would soon take over. After pizza, salad and soda, everyone laced up their two-toned, borrowed shoes to bowl in the Back Alley VIP Lanes that featured black lights, fun music and plenty of space to mingle.

After bowling, the youth received a handful of tokens and quickly led their mentors into the flashing arcade. From racing in driving simulators to testing their strength on the carnival hammer or shooting mini hoops, the Matches also engaged in plenty of one-to-one bonding time during this group event.

While they had a great time, Group meetUPs allow teens from foster care to enjoy more than just fun moments–they help to build confidence, a sense of community and, most importantly, resilience. While the activity may be new or challenging, these recreational events happen within a safe and supportive environment.

Such positive interactions allow youth to grow, develop skills, release stress and store up positive memories. As these benefits combine, young minds and bodies can heal from trauma. And, in bowling terms, that’s a STRIKE!

First impressions can make a big difference. During this practical life skills workshop, teens in our program were given a variety of tools to make strong first impressions. We began unlocking those tools by acknowledging that everyone makes judgements, intentionally or not, based on appearance and perception.

Amy Wister, founder and CEO of The Stylist Online led Matches (youth and their mentors) through several exercises to consider how posture, confidence, environment and clothing can aid or hinder first impressions. She used the word “canvas” to describe how we present ourselves. Amy stressed that it’s not about labels or expensive clothing, but about truly feeling good in what one wears. She also discussed how to find affordable, staple clothing for job interviews and other special occasions.

The event was held at the Dress 2 Success Clothing Boutique. After Amy’s presentation, Nordstrom Men’s Stylist and D2S President Justin Studebaker measured the teens and helped them identify their proper sizes. He then led the group upstairs to the boutique for a free shopping spree.

At first, the teens appeared uncomfortable looking through the professional clothing. With some tunes playing in the background and Justin and Amy diligently seeking out articles for each youth, the energy quickly changed.

The mentors also encouraged their youth to expand their ideas of style. One mentor even gave his mentee a lesson in tying a tie. There were also laughs about items that would never be worn but it didn’t take long until every mentor was holding items that their youth wanted.

The workshop ended with each youth taking home articles that fit well and that they felt great wearing. One mentee couldn’t wait and left wearing one of the new outfits he found that day. Thanks to a recent online donation, Aging UP provided each mentor with a gift card to take their youth shopping for remaining items needed during a future one-to-one outing.

We’re extremely grateful to Amy, Justin and the D2S team for their efforts to make this hands-on workshop a success. We’re also grateful to everyone who donated to our Professional Clothing Drive and to Justin’s clients and others who have donated to the D2S Clothing Boutique. The free shopping experience could not have been possible without so much support.

Our first Group meetUP took place at the Sacramento Zoo.  Seven Matches (youth and mentor) joined our founders April and Kecia, Match Coordinator Bonnie, Volunteer Photographer Lana and Intern Jordan for an afternoon at one of Sacramento’s most iconic locations.

Matches started with a self-guided stroll through the zoo then met as a group for a private Animal Encounter. The fun and knowledgeable zoo staff brought out a variety of small animals from all over the world, including a hedgehog, ball python, six-banded armadillo, and blue and gold macaw. Some animals hit instant celebrity status, while others needed more time. One mentor even jumped out of her seat at the sight of the snake.

Seeing the animals up close was a unique experience. Prior to this trip, some youth had never explored the zoo and one even stated she was not that interested in animals. At the end of our time, everyone was able to identify a favorite animal and what they enjoyed most during the zoo trip.

The group then headed across the street to William Land Park for lunch and an activity. After lunch, Matches were guided to choose a word that they wanted as a foundational part of their lives. Using paint pens, the word was then expressed on small river rocks, in whatever artistic fashion they chose. We also had two large river rocks for Matches to design together. We hope these keepsakes serve as reminders to remain strong and focused.

Group meetUPs are intended to be fun, but they are also meant to provide opportunities to gain new experiences and expand worldviews. As the youth smiled, engaged with nature, met one another, and took the time to consider their word, we saw this goal become a reality. Many more group events are planned, and we can’t wait!

Our special thanks to Lana for capturing some amazing moments and to the Sacramento Zoo for its generosity and hospitality. It was very special for our first group event to take place at such a memorable place.