The DHS Independent Living Program has been sponsoring Oregon’s annual ILP Teen Conference for over 22 years. This FREE event provides 100 current or former foster youth with information and peer-led (by the FosterClub Allstars) workshops regarding transition planning, post-secondary education, employment, supportive healthy relationships, community connections, and much much more! These youth will gather with other foster youth from across the state, discuss how to improve the foster care system, and enjoy some fun recreational activities while experiencing different college campuses. The conference is held in June for current or former DHS or tribal foster youth between the ages of 16-20. More information to follow. Note: Supervision and transportation will need to be determined prior to registration.
DHS-ILP has been sponsoring post-secondary workshops for foster youth for 5 years. In 2013, the DREAM Conference for current or former DHS or tribal foster youth between the ages of 14-20 will be held August 5th-August 8th on the Western Oregon University campus. The FREE conference is focused on preparing and planning for post-secondary education, employment and training options. Workshops will focus on paying for college, career exploration, managing your money, learning how to apply for scholarships, college and vocational resources and more! The FosterClub Allstars will be facilitating and leading workshops with fun activities for their peers. Explore educational and vocational options beyond high school, find out how to get there and experience "college life" on a real college campus. More information to follow. Note: Supervision and transportation will need to be determined prior to registration.
Since 2004, the DHS-ILP has joined one of the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon in hosting the Native Teen Gathering each year during the summer. The FREE event is for Native American teens and young adults between the ages of 14-20 who are in DHS or Tribal foster care, or former foster youth who are eligible for ILP services. This gathering provides opportunities for meeting other Native teens from around the state. Youth can experience fun activities, new and old friendships, participate in cultural events, hear stories from tribal elders around a campfire, learn about their Native heritage and traditions, and develop life skills that will help them as they transition out of foster care. More information to follow. Note: Supervision and transportation will need to be determined prior to registration.
Spring Break Camp
(specific to Willamette Valley counties)
Some of the Independent Living Programs are joining forces and are planning a FREE four-day Spring Break Camp in March 2013 for all youth involved with some of the Willamette Valley ILP Programs. It will be an over night camp at the Polk County Fairgrounds which is located off Hwy 99 in Rickreall. This camp has been set up and intended to be four fun filled days of activities designed especially for Independent Living youth working on socialization skills and team building, along with “life learning” activities that will be incorporated. The youth will be cooking all of their meals and workshops are set up to work with the youth on important life skill topics. This trip will be supervised and chaperoned by ILP workers (from the particular counties who are participating) and older (18 + college) ILP youth acting as Youth Camp Leaders throughout the week. Spots are limited, so please keep in mind that we are requesting that the youth participating be youth who really want to be there and will be actively involved in all parts of the camp. For more information, please contact Shannon Simich at 503-623-2042.
Camp Makuala
(specific to Tillamook, Clatsop & Columbia Counties & outlying areas)
Camp Makuala is a four day, three night camp for youth involved with the Independent Living Programs in the Tillamook and outlying areas. The camp is held every year in the summer and is located along the Trask River in Tillamook. The days and evenings are filled with fun activities and youth learn important life skills they need to become healthy, independent adults. Campfires, a beach day, some recreational activities such as swimming & basketball at the local YMCA, and a tour to the Tillamook Cheese Factory are just some of the activities on the agenda, AND the youth even learn to cook their own meals while they are there! Youth are supervised by the Independent Living Program Providers and adult volunteer staff.
Bob Belloni Ranch Independent Living Program
(specific to Coos & Curry Counties)
The ILP program organizes a few “real life” experiences over the course of the year that helps teach youth life skills in addition to the monthly classes. The Box R Ranch Living Skills Weekend is just such an event. The youth will be organizing this trip from beginning to end with the ILP staff assistance. The youth are responsible for all aspects of the trip. They ask for support from the community, plan meals and activities, grocery shop (comparison shopping to get the best deals), prepare and cleanup of all the meals, and just have fun. They learn how to act responsibly, work together, and sometimes learn from mistakes.
The Oregon Foster Youth Connection (OFYC), a program of Children First for Oregon, hosts a biennial, 3-day, Youth Summit where current and former foster youth (14-25) unite to discuss their ideas for what they believe would make foster care better. Youth choose a topic during registration and then spend 2 days working with other youth to come up with concrete, real-life recommendations. On the final day, youth present their ideas to Department of Human Services staff, legislators, direct service providers and community members during an inspiring luncheon. During the conference, there are evening activities like a Talent Showcase and field games.
OFYC also hosts a biennial Advocacy Convening (in years with no Youth Summit). This conference is a follow-up to the Youth Summit and is a chance for youth to take their concrete recommendations straight to legislators. Youth spend 2 days solidifying their recommendations, learning about the legislative process, and practicing talking points that support their recommendations. On the final day, youth go directly to the capitol to meet with legislators in small groups for a chance to speak up and be heard.