• Coordinating a statewide Make a Difference Day Project for all foster children (2004)
• Wrote a letter/met with Gov. Hunt
• Met with Hillary Clinton in Washington, DC
• Attending school and going to college at record numbers!
• Provides articles and book reviews for Fostering Perspectives
• Developed a SaySo presentation format for members to speak
• Promoted the development of 7 local chapters in NC (Moore, Mecklenburg, Caldwell, Wake, Cumberland, Guilford, and Onslow)
• Presents annually at the National Independent Living Conference
• Presented at the annual NC Statewide Children’s Conferences
• Presented at the NCFPA statewide conferences
• Had two Board members elected to the National Independent Living Association (NILA) Board of Directors
• Participates in continuing education training for Family Court Judges
• Participated in GAL trainings
• Did a PR campaign on NBC-17 (Superbowl Sunday) to recruit foster families for teens
• Contributed towards Advocates for Children Services brochures on Rights/Responsibilities of Foster Youth and Independent Living
• Assists with MAPP training for Foster Parents
• Participates in Court Improvement Program conferences and seminars
• Sponsored the 2002 National Advocacy in Action Conference
• Did an ad on TV, posters, radio announcements to recruit foster and adoptive parents (Charlotte)
• Master of Ceremony for a Youth Fashion Show promoting teen adoptions (Greensboro)
• Keynote speech at statewide Adoption Celebration 2002
• Provides regular speeches at regional adoption celebrations throughout North Carolina.
• Did a “Believe in a Child” ad on TV, posters, radio announcements to recruit foster homes for teens (Raleigh)
• Spoke at Adoption/Abandonment meetings in Greensboro.
• Trains 13-15 year old foster youths at annual NC LINK-Up conferences statewide
• Contributed to the SE IL Curriculum Advisory Board
• Participated at the IL National Leadership Conference
• Provided information on health issues related to foster teens
• Sponsored a child who died at the hands of abuse - Child Abuse Vigil
• Speaks annually at Youth Days and the Recognition Ceremonies
• Coordinates annual SaySo Saturday conferences for 200+ foster youths
• Publish 4-6 annual newsletters for members and supporters
• Contribution to “Social Services for Pregnant and Parenting Teens”
• Provided the award recipients for National Youth of the Year (2002 and 2003) through the National Independent Living Association.
• Became the March 2004, Everyday Hero for “Fostering Families” magazine
• Initiated a week for members to participate in the house, senate and Governor’s page programs
• Contributed to the formation of the National Alumni Network (NAN)
• Participates in annual attorney and social worker training at UNC-CH

Media involving SaySo Youths

• Spectator Magazine – Durham
• People Magazine, January 2003
• Fostering Perspectives
• Independent Weekly - Durham
• Charlotte Observer
• UNC-TV feature on Child Abuse, April 2002
• Fayetteville Observer
• Burlington Times
• Jamestown Press
• WRAL – For the Children
• Raleigh News & Observer
• NBC-17 Eastern NC
• Fostering Families Magazine
• Carolina Youth Alliance

Partnerships with SaySo

• UNC Institute of Government
• Fostering Perspectives Advisory Board
• Advocates for Children’s Services
• Legal Services of NC
• NC Kids (Greensboro)
• Guardian Ad Litem Program
• North Carolina Foster Parent Association
• Covenant with NC Children
• National Independent Living Association
• NC DSS LINKS Program
• GEAR UP NC
• Fenwick Foundation
• NC Administration of the Courts, Court Improvement Program
• NC Stakeholders Board for MH/DD/SAS
• Independent Living Resources, Inc.
• Workforce Development Institute
• Prevent Child Abuse NC
• Jordan Institute – UNC School of Social Work
• Southeast Independent Living Curriculum Advisory Board
• National Alumni Network