The confidence that comes from looking good and feeling prepared can make all the difference when taking the next step in your professional life. The truth is, first impressions matter, and thanks to Nordstrom Fashion Valley’s Dress for Success Event, a group of Guardian Scholars can check that box!

Students were paired with Nordstrom stylists, like (@dg_stylist)who curated outfits and offered crucial insight for fits. For many, this was an enlightening experience as both the expertise of the stylists, and the support of the group mentors allowed each Guardian Scholar to feel like the best version of themselves.

The excitement was high in the dressing rooms as many delighted in showing off their new looks to each other and offering supportive feedback. Faces beamed when they saw themselves in the mirrors.

Guardian Scholars left with full shopping bags, feeling fresh and confident, ready to take on the next steps in their lives!

Wow! We’ve had a week to reflect on an exhilarating Distilled event.

It was an evening of sophistication and impact as over 200 board members, supporters, and community leaders, gathered at the luxurious Veloce Motors – The Vault, a unique venue housing rare, exotic, and classic cars in Miramar.

Host Sponsor Barrel & Board, elevated moods and appetites with their signature charcuterie board, and guests sampled a curated selection of exceptional whiskey, bourbon, and scotch from local artisans and renowned distilleries.

Guests gathered as CEO, Tonya Torosian, and Board Member Dustin TenBroeck, shared their personal stories that led them to Promises2Kids and helping foster children, underscoring the impact we can make when we come together as a community.

Thank you to all who attended!

We reserve a special thank you to our sponsors, who made this event possible.

Promises2Kids.org/Distilled-2024

Guardian Scholars LGBTQIA+ group gathered at Sisters Pizza for a special meeting looking forward to the Pride month.

The group put their minds and tastes together to create a collective Spotify playlist celebrating Pride Month. Of course, Pride celebrations are a significant time of year for any members of the LGBTQIA+ community. This group takes the grass-roots approach of connecting adult Guardian Scholars with peers and mentors sharing their identity right here in San Diego.

We are proud of this tight-knit group and of the volunteer mentors who give their time to create this space. For more information about mentoring, visit: Promises2Kids.org/volunteer

Guardian Scholar and advocate, Vanessa Brunetta was recently featured on ABC10 News in an interview by Moses Small. The interview focused on the prevalence of housing insecurity in former foster children, Vanessa’s personal experience growing up, and where she is today.

The shocking fact is that 1 in 3 former foster children will experience homelessness within the first two years after exiting care. Lacking much of the traditional financial, familial, and structural support that many young adults have, many former foster youth are faced with this daunting challenge at a critical time, all while managing school and work.

This issue hits close to home for Promises2Kids and led to our development of the “Foster Futures” prevention-based pilot program. This brand-new 12-month program will provide wrap-around care in the form of guaranteed income support of $1,000/month, coupled with career coaching, mentoring, financial literacy training, case management, and mental health resources. Promises2Kids has requested funds from the city that would be matched with philanthropic funds to support 50 former foster youth.

We look forward to sharing more about the Foster Futures program!

We are grateful to @jimbosnaturally & Jimbo’s customers for supporting San Diego’s foster children by raising funds at the register during #NationalFosterCareMonth this May.

Their unwavering support gives foster children the opportunity to achieve their educational goals, reconnect with their siblings each month, participate in extracurricular activities, receive mentoring, and more.

Jimbo’s has been a champion of our mission for nearly 10 years and we are grateful for their support and continued partnership year after year!