SaySo (Strong Able Youth Speaking Out) is officially 25 years strong!! 25 years of youth advocacy, youth leadership, and youth voice representing youth in the substitute care system in North Carolina.
Do you know why SaySo uses the term substitute care? We use the term substitute care because not only do we support teens in foster care, but also those who have been adopted as teens, are in kinship care, group homes, and mental health placements.
SaySo is the second oldest youth advocacy organization in the country. In March, SaySo had over 415 people registered to attend our annual membership conference and birthday celebration. At this momentous event we had a few surprise moments. We had a special video greeting from Governor Roy Cooper, in person attendance from NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley, celebrity guest speaker Pretty Vee, and record attendance!
Over the past few months, SaySo has celebrated a few more notable moments. We were invited to the Governor’s mansion not once, or twice, but three times in the past six months! We held our first Day on the Hill Advocacy Day where alumni of SaySo gathered and met with North Carolina House and Senate representatives. We were able to advocate for SaySo so we can provide more programming and support opportunities for youth in care.
Additionally, SaySo was able to host our second Page Week in one fiscal year. This meant more young people got an opportunity to experience learning about the importance of government and civic engagement up close and personal. SaySo is continuing our theme of growing and glowing at all our upcoming events. We invite any youth ages 14-24 to please follow us on social media and come attend an event in your area.
SaySo (Strong Able Youth Speaking Out), is a statewide, North Carolina-based association of youth aged 14 to 24 who are or have been in out-of-home care. This includes all types of substitute care, including foster care, group homes, and mental health placements.
