We are overwhelmed with gratitude following our 2025 Volunteer Appreciation event, presented by Mission Federal Credit Union. To be gathered with such dedicated, caring, and hard-working San Diegans is truly an inspiration in the work we do.

We welcomed over 100 volunteers, mentors, and supporters to the Farmer & The Seahorse in La Jolla to celebrate the amazing work our volunteers do ALL YEAR!

For a group of people who work so tirelessly to put foster children first, this evening was about recognizing the tremendous character and generosity that create brighter futures for our youth. Several stand-out volunteering efforts were acknowledged, as well as the Leadership Teams and Committees that are allowing us to grow in response to the needs of our population.

A special thank you to Mission Federal Credit Union for sponsoring this growing and important event!

Camp Connect’s annual trip to Disneyland has been a highlight of the year for several years running and this one was no exception! Brothers and sisters living apart in foster care had the opportunity to reunite and spend quality time together at the “Happiest Place on Earth”. This trip would be several camper’s very first visit to Disneyland.

After the long ride up and excitement nearly peaking, they set out into the park. Campers split into smaller groups to explore all the park has to offer, from classics like Thunder Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Campers made extensive use of the Lightning Lane, which gave them access to shorter wait times for rides all day.

It was a magical day for all 75 Camp Connect youth who attended, and judging by the smiles and laughter, it will be a day they remember for a long time. A special thank you to our volunteers during #VolunteerAppreciationMonth for making this possible!

Guardian Scholars, Andres and Marquita, both Advocates for Change group members, flew to the nation’s capital for the @sdchamber 2025 Mission to Washington, D.C. Delegation trip.

Andres and Marquita volunteered for the chance to advocate on issues facing the foster youth community, including housing instability, mental health, childcare and parenting support.

They were joined by Promises2Kids CEO Tonya Torosian, Chief Programs Officer Valerie Centeno, and Director of Programs Rashida Elimu, as they met with many elected officials, including United States Representatives @repsarajacobs and @repscottpeters, San Diego City Council President @joelacava_d1 and Councilmembers @stephenwhitburn and @cm_marnivonwilpert, and @senadamschiff.

It is always inspiring to work alongside these Guardian Scholars who seized this opportunity to share their personal stories and voice the concerns and adversity facing many of San Diego’s current and former foster children.

Thank you to the official airline partner of Promises2Kids, @southwestair, for making this trip possible!

A significant portion of advocacy deals with getting out into the community, sharing your experiences in an effective and motivating way. Telling your story is a powerful way to put a face and a life to the statistics and figures. But when it comes to creating positive change within the official systems and programs themselves, an extra degree of insight makes a world of difference.

Advocates for Change gratefully welcomed a panel of speakers with exactly that insight. The panel included expert professionals Ken Moore, Senior Director of Government Relations, Intesa Communications Group; Chida Warren-Darby, Director of the Office of Boards and Commission, Mayor Todd Gloria’s Office; and Kenia Zamarripa, Vice President of International and Public Affairs, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The panel was engaging and sympathetic, touching on topics ranging from imposter syndrome to the role of advocacy in government, to their own paths towards advocacy. Through a Q&A with our advocates, the panel touched on important skills like how to capture an official’s attention, how to craft an effective elevator pitch, and crucial dos and don’ts throughout a meeting.

Thank you to Ken, Chida, and Kenia for joining us and helping the next generation of advocates take their next steps!