It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a young man who spent time in Grand Junction's foster care program.

Grand Junction Youth Gets Amazing Opportunity In the Caribbean

Gage Adams is an 18-year-old from Grand Junction who is getting an amazing opportunity to learn and experience life in the Caribbean. He's a prime example of what the local non-profit Foster Alumni Mentors is all about. When young people age out of foster care, FAM provides a vehicle of support for them as they transition into adulthood.

Volunteer Opportunities and Learning

Recently, FAM was able to connect Gage with the I CAN Foundation, which created a program to take 6 youth who were in foster care on a 90-day voyage to the Caribbean. Along the way, the young people will visit the islands of the Bahamas, Dominica, Dominican Republic, and St. Lucia where they will volunteer and give back while learning about the islands and their cultures.

Gage, who happens to love seafood,  is excited to have the opportunity to learn how to cook some amazing cuisine while getting certifications as an emergency first responder, international yacht training, VHF radio license, PADI open water diving, advanced, and rescue diving among other things.

Photo by Cedar Gardner
Photo by Cedar Gardner
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Getting Ready to Sail

Gage is currently in Florida learning the basics of sailing and scuba and will set sail in just a few days. He's made friends with other crewmates and says they are really some awesome people.

All of the participants on this Caribbean trip are from Florida with the exception of Gage. While he is part of the program, all expenses are paid and they will connect him with future opportunities.

Foster Alumni Mentors: Making A Difference

Kimberly Raff is the founder and executive director of Foster Alumni Mentors. She told me she is so thankful to be able to impact people's lives in such a positive way.

We love being able to get creative and help our alumni reach whatever goals they have and be a part of their journey. Knowing we get to be part of something so life changing is beyond words. We are thankful to be part of an alumni community that reaches beyond Mesa County and working with other alumni to impact change in so many lives.This is why we do what we do.

You can learn more about the work of Foster Alumni Mentors on their website. And we look forward to hearing about Gage's travels in the Caribbean over the next several weeks.

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