Our Creation 

In My Shoes began as a collaborative effort between alumni of foster care and dedicated adults who worked in the child welfare system. This collaboration composed of representatives from the Arizona Young Adult Program, Casey Family Programs, and the Tucson Foster Care Alumni H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People Excel) Council.

The original group met for over two years creating a community, mentor training manual, referral process, our name and were able to write the organization's first grant. The $8,000 grant was awarded by Every Voice in Action in July of 2003. At that time, the program was able to hire one of the committee members as its first employee.

In September of 2004, we grew from a program into an incorporation. We received our Federal Non-Profit 501(c)3 status in January 2005. Since then, we have received grants and contracts from the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona and the Department of Economic Security. The grants allowed us to retain our first employee as the Executive Director and hire a Program Coordinator and Office Assistant. Together as a team, along with support from the Board of Directors, Mentors and Allies, we were able to grow programs which would reach over 5,000 people in just a few years.

On July 1, 2010, In My Shoes merged with Arizona's Children Association, a nearly 100 year old child welfare and behavioral health agency that has as its mission, "Protecting children. Preserving families." The merger with Arizona's Children Association will allow In My Shoes to continue its mission to ensure that young people experiencing out-of-home care will be supported through their transitional years to develop the competencies to realize their potential as adults. Becoming a member of the Arizona's Children Association family of agencies not only enables In My Shoes to strengthen its Tucson programs, it allows the organization to grow its programs to serve youth living in foster care throughout Arizona.

Our Community 

The In My Shoes community began with a small group of alumni whose shared experiences of foster care allowed them to be a family. Although the In My Shoes family is anything but traditional, it is a family who understands each other's struggles and support one another's goals and dreams. It is a place where our brothers and sisters can come to a place where they can feel "normal" and accepted. We are a place where youth and alumni can talk about their experiences in foster care without being worried about needing to protect their audience or hurting the feelings of those whom may have or are contributing to their hardships in foster care.

We are supported by our community of our closest allies within the foster care system. In My Shoes began and continues to be supported by a handful of dedicated individuals who worked tirelessly to form a collaboration between multiple child welfare agencies to develop a unique program where youth in foster care can be supported through their transitional years by adults who were also raised in the foster care system.

In My Shoes has expanded its community by not just offering services for youth, but by partnering with youth currently in foster care, the Arizona Chapter of Foster Care of America (AzFCAA), group homes, foster care agencies, businesses, faith based communities, and other individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of children and youth in foster care.

If you are interested in being a part of the IMS Community, please fill out a volunteer interest form or contact us.