Activities

• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• A sponsor for 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

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

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