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How to Help Foster Youth

Meet Davina Banner

Giving Tuesday 2022

Thank you for taking a moment to read my story.

As a young woman from foster care, I’ve faced my share of hardships. I knew that my chances of graduating high school, let alone college, and finding a successful career were slim to none. There were times when I was convinced that I wouldn’t be able to escape the statistics. I felt no hope for my future. All that changed when I found Pivotal.

My coach, Sue, wholeheartedly believed in me and my aspirations to go to college. I wanted...

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The Internship Pivot

Phones are buzzing. Spreadsheets are being updated. Excitement is building for what’s to come this summer! It’s one of the most wonderful times of the year here at Pivotal -- the months where we find and lock down dream internships for our scholars.

In case you can’t tell, we’re pretty jazzed about it! Frankly, it’s the enthusiasm and joy we see on our scholar’s faces that gets us out of bed in the morning, particularly when they learn a Pivotal internship...

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Internship Decca for Blog

The Impact of Internships

You’ve probably heard the saying that landing a job is all about who you know. Networking reigns supreme – but for many foster youth, having the right connections doesn’t happen without a parent’s network to lean on. Securing a college internship is no different, especially in the ultra-competitive Silicon Valley job market. That’s why we’re turning to you -- our community of supporters -- to help connect us to companies and businesses interested in hosting...

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Adobe HQ
Adobe has been a Pivotal partner since 2018.

Silicon Valley Corporations and Foundations Step It Up During the COVID Crisis

by Christine Salinas, Manager of Grants and Communications

We applaud the Silicon Valley corporations and foundations that are supporting nonprofits like Pivotal during COVID-19. Many wonderful partners such as Acer America, Comerica Bank, Pinpoint Foundation, Leo M. Shortino Family Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Sobrato Family Foundation, and Tipping Point Community have generously donated to Pivotal’s Emergency Assistance Fund.

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Right Now, the World Needs More Helpers

When Silicon Valley began to feel the impact of Covid-19, our young people from foster care turned to us scared.  As their college campuses closed down, many had no family home to return to. The hourly jobs that helped make ends meet were disappearing quickly. Many felt overwhelmed with worries about how they’d make rent, buy groceries, and pay for their internet service.   

Our team knew we had to act fast. A week ago we launched the Emergency Assistance Fund to provide emergency financial support to foster youth whose lives have been turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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Be Pivotal Jazmine

On Giving Tuesday, Be On Their Side

by Christine Salinas, Grants Manager

Does December 3, 2019 ring any bells? Maybe it’s your mom’s birthday?  Or the date of your wedding anniversary?

It’s certainly a date that makes the folks at Pivotal pop right up. After all, December 3, 2019, is GIVING TUESDAY, the second-largest giving day of the year (the largest is December 31)!  

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Young Teenagers

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

by Christine Salinas, Grants Manager

On any given day, there are roughly 430,000 children in the American foster care system. Here are the top 5 things to know about children who enter foster care.

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