Dream Makers Luncheon 2026

Foster youth carry a lot on their shoulders. Trauma, instability, and loss coupled with lack of consistent support and frequent school changes often lead to mental health challenges like anxiety, PTSD, and social isolation. It’s also common for young people in and from foster care to cope with their trauma by engaging in high-risk behaviors such as violence, substance use, and delinquencies and to experience higher levels of unemployment, homelessness, and incarceration. 

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Every child deserves to feel loved and protected. Thanks to Pivotal, I finally know what that kind of support feels like, but it wasn’t always that way. I didn’t learn about Pivotal until my early college years, and I often think about how different my journey might have been if I’d known about their services earlier. Growing up, I faced many challenges that made it hard to feel safe, supported, or even hopeful about the future. I was born in Los Angeles, but when I was...

Left to right: Pivotal Dream Maker Circle Donors Leonard and Jessica Speiser, Pivotal Scholar Iris, and Pivotal CEO Matt Bell.

On October 9th, 40 guests gathered at the Los Altos home of Jessica and Leonard Speiser to support Pivotal  at a special Dream BIG event. The gathering wasn’t a fundraiser, but a chance to connect, reflect, and spread the word about Pivotal’s mission to help young people from foster care reach their educational and career goals. 

Jessica, who...

Nevaeh was just six years old when she lost her mother and she was placed in foster care, an event that echoed throughout her life. In high school, she often missed classes and saw her grades slip. In her sophomore year, she was placed on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to provide her with additional support. She was also introduced to Pivotal, and her coach Sarah. 

Nevaeh, age 3

“I was kind of nervous. I didn’t really know how it was going to work out and at...

For many of our scholars, stepping onto a college campus brings higher education one step closer to reality.  In April, De Anza College’s NextUp program hosted an immersive, on-campus experience, and six of our high school scholars visited the campus to learn about the opportunities available to them. The NextUp program is a dedicated support initiative for students from foster care. 

Pivotal’s Post-Secondary Coach Sarah Gentle, who serves students at De Anza,...

Last month, we hosted an unforgettable end-of-year celebration at Cataldi Park in San Jose to honor our post-secondary students. The day was filled with summer vibes, delicious food, and even better company as we came together to celebrate our scholars’ hard work and achievements as the school year came to a close. 

It was a perfect summer day for a BBQ, and everyone enjoyed delicious food, laughter, and community camaraderie. Many scholars and graduates brought their families...

On March 26, Pivotal joined fellow members of The Foster Youth Pre-College  Collective (tFYPC) in Sacramento for Advocacy Day. This opportunity enabled youth advocates to connect directly with California state legislators and elevate the voices and needs of foster youth across the state. 

Highlighting the Data: Destination Graduation Report 

Pivotal’s Director of Program Partnerships, Ashley Matysiak, MSW, and CEO Matt Bell introduced policymakers to the mission and...

I was 12 or 13 when I came to the United States from South Africa. There was a lot to get used to but learning about a new culture and environment, and meeting people from different backgrounds helped expand my experience and open my mind. I hadn’t been great in school in South Africa, but when I started school in the U.S., I found the teaching style worked better for me. I understood more and had so many more resources available; it made it easier. 

I was involved with Catholic...

May is National Foster Care Month, and at Pivotal the month was filled with powerful moments of learning, celebration, and connection, thanks to the support of our trusted partners, scholars, and community members. Here’s a look at how we celebrated our scholars and our work throughout the month: 

Building Awareness with Coffee & Conversation 

Throughout May, we also hosted a series of Coffee & Conversation virtual events. These 45-minute sessions gave community...