Vol. 14, No. 2 • May 2010

SaySo Update

SaySo Saturday 2010
This year’s SaySo Saturday, “Come Home to SaySo,” was the biggest family reunion we have ever had! With over 220 people, the annual conference broke all records (especially for food consumption).

The most impressive record, however, was the commissioning of six new local chapters—the most commissioned at one time. This brings our total local chapter count to 21.

Workshops were plentiful and most were presented by young people, including:

  • An empowerment session facilitated by Yancey County youths
  • Transitioning journeys shared by young people from NC Families United
  • “How to Better Use the CFT Process,” by SaySo Alumni and SaySo Regional Assistants
  • “What Local SaySo Chapters Can Do,” by the Halifax SaySo Chapter
  • “Being an Advocate,” by a youth and her GAL, and
  • Two workshops by NC foster alumnus Julia Charles, who also sold her book, Surviving the Storm, at the conference.

In addition to the workshops and commissioning six local chapters, SaySo celebrated its 12th birthday.

SaySo Regional Elections
Regional elections were also held at SaySo Saturday. The following young people will join continuing officers Nicole L. and Reneka RC. as regional representatives for their region:

Region 1: Amber S., Diana H., Emily W.
Region 2: Elizabeth N., Katie Q., Brittany W., Quanesha C.
Region 3: Paradise S., Patrick Y., Shante K.
Region 4: Dominique M., Quadele M., Marcella M.
Region 5: Titianna G., Shanita DG., Omar W.
Region 6: Donisha A., Roman R.

(To find out what SaySo region you are in, click here.) This board will participate with the outgoing board in the Orientation and Leadership Retreat in Pinehurst on June 23-25, 2010.

Visit Our Site
The website www.saysoinc.org has many resources and connections for all those connected to foster care in North Carolina. Even adults find the website a helpful resource for their questions. “Come Home to SaySo” posters are available for free… just call 800-820-0001 to request a copy for your local agency, church, library, or any location where foster youths/alumni may see it.

Update on Maintaining Sibling Connections

In our November 2009 issue we profiled two sisters who are both representatives on the SaySo Board of Directors. Each sister had taken a different path to permanency. Shanita, age 15, had been adopted by their foster family. Titianna, age 16, had decided against adoption and had moved into a group home.

Titianna still does not wish to be adopted. However, since November Titianna has moved out of the group home and back into her sister’s adoptive home—they are reunited. Here are their feelings about where things are today.

Shanita: “Everything seems to be in order now. Well, not really. My big sister has come back home but I’m still away from all my other siblings. But all is well. I guess you could say a little piece of happiness crossed my path, and I’m glad it landed in my lap. :)"

Titianna: “I am so grateful to have another chance to be home with my sister. While back home, I will continue my education and try my best to succeed.”

 

Copyright � 2010 Jordan Institute for Families