Our Mission

Our mission is to create opportunities for foster youth to explore the wilderness, the arts, cultural events, and to create lasting positive relationships between adults and peers. It is our belief that offering foster youth opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, the arts, and cultural events together we will create experiences that will inspire positive changes in their lives and futures.

Our Vision

That every foster youth in Sacramento County will have an opportunity to experience the wonderful healing aspects of the wilderness, arts, cultural events, and an increased sense of community.

Connections builds lasting relationships; we recognize the importance of building nurturing positive relationships with adults and peers.

Connections promotes the importance of building an appreciation for nature, art, and culture.

Connections activities and events will build self-esteem, social skills, and a positive world view in each foster youth served.

Connections will provide activities that create lasting memories.

That Connections would recruit, train, and support enough volunteers that every youth will experience long lasting positive memories.

Program goals

The Connections program aims to build lasting relationships with youth that will achieve the following goals:

Create a sense of hope and accomplishment.

Develop skills that promote independence and success.

Increase self-esteem and understanding of their personal world view.

Develop the ability to believe in themselves and others.

Increase trust, appreciation, and sensitivity to adults and peers.

Develop skills necessary to create opportunities for their own success.

Develop the ability to work cooperatively and effectively in a team environment.

Foster the change of destructive behaviors to new productive behaviors, patterns, and hobbies.

Improve school attendance and behavior.

Encourage participation in school sports, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.