Accomplishments
Below is a brief listing of the Accomplishments of SaySo:
Conferences
Presented at the annual NC Statewide Children's Conferences
Presented at the NCFPA statewide conferences
Presents annually at the National Independent Living Conference
Participates in Court Improvement Program conferences and seminars
Participated in NC GAL statewide conferences and trainings
Sponsored the 2002 National Advocacy in Action Conference
Trains 13-15 year old foster youths at annual NC LINK-Up conferences statewide
Participated at the IL National Leadership Conference
Speaks annually at all youth conference sponsored by the NCLINKS program
Coordinates annual SaySo Saturday conferences for 200+ foster youths
Keynote speech at statewide Adoption Celebration 2002
Meetings & Trainings
Participates in continuing education training for Family Court Judges
Assists with MAPP training for Foster Parents
Spoke at Adoption/Abandonment meetings in Greensboro.
Participates in annual attorney and social worker training at UNC-CH
Participate in trainings with the Center For Family and Community Engagement
Publishing’s
Provides articles and book reviews for Fostering Perspectives
Wrote 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
Developed a youth friendly CFT brochure for the Center For Family and Community Engagement
Did an ad on TV, posters, radio announcements to recruit foster and adoptive parents (Charlotte)
Believe in a Child ad on TV, posters, radio announcements to recruit foster homes for teens(Raleigh)
Publish 6 annual newsletters (archived) for members and supporters
Became the March 2004, Everyday Hero for Fostering Families magazine
Developed a SaySo presentation format for members to use at speaking engagements
Contribution to others
Contributed to the formation of the National Alumni Network(NAN)
Contribution to Social Services for Pregnant and Parenting Teens
Provided information on health issues related to foster teens
A sponsor for Child Abuse Vigil
Contributed to the SE IL Curriculum Advisory Board
SaySo in Government
Wrote a letter/met with Gov. Hunt
Met with Hillary Clinton in Washington, DC
Initiated a week for members to participate in the House, Senate and Governor's page programs (Annually since 2005)
Other Accomplishments
Coordinating a statewide Make a Difference Day Project for all foster children (Annually since 2004)
Provided the award recipients for National Youth of the Year (2002 and 2003) through the NILA
Provides regular speeches at regional adoption celebrations throughout North Carolina
Master of Ceremony for a Youth Fashion Show promoting teen adoptions (Greensboro)
Two Board members elected to the National Independent Living Association (NILA) Board of Directors
Promoted the development of 23 local chapters in NC
Attending school and going to college at record numbers!
Media Involving SaySo Youths
Spectator Magazine Durham
People Magazine, January 2003
Fostering Perspectives (twice annually)
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
Personal SaySo Member Accomplishments
Julia C. - 2006 Foster Club All Stars
Makeisha W. - 2005 National Youth of the Year
Melinda M. - 2003 National Youth of the Year
De'Von M. - 2002 National Youth of the Year