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 members the opportunity to hear directly from Pivotal alumni about their experiences in foster care and how Pivotal helped them navigate their academic and career journeys. Designed to raise awareness and foster deeper understanding, these conversations created space for meaningful dialogue and connection with our mission. 

Pivotal CEO Matt Bell and Director of Program Partnerships Ashley Matysiak participated in the Foster Care Awareness Month Summit on May 30, joining local leaders, advocates, and community partners in a powerful conversation about collectively supporting the well-being of children and families in Santa Clara County. Matt spoke on an expert panel alongside representatives from Child Advocates of Silicon Valley, Dependency Advocacy Center, and others, highlighting the needs of foster youth and the importance of coordinated support systems. 

Celebrating our Grads! 

Graduation season is always a special time at Pivotal. We celebrated the incredible achievements of our middle school, high school, and college graduates with some help from our generous donors. At our DreamBIG event, board members Mike Saviage and Paul Silverglate gathered volunteers to hand-make candy leis, pack college swag bags, and write notes of encouragement to our scholars preparing for their next big step. 

Graduating high school seniors received brand-new Acer Aspire 3 laptops to support their next educational chapter, along with select middle school and post-secondary scholars. Acer’s continued support is helping ensure that our students have the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond. 

Sharing Scholar Stories 

We also shared the powerful journeys of three incredible Pivotal scholars, Jaya, Jennifer, and Briana, who remind us that success looks different for everyone. Their stories of perseverance, growth, and hope are what National Foster Care Month is all about. 

Looking Ahead 

National Foster Care Month may be just one month on the calendar, but our work to uplift and empower foster youth never stops. We are so grateful to our community of donors, partners, and advocates who make it possible for Pivotal to show up every day with resources, relationships, and opportunities that change lives. 

Thank you for standing with us.