Onward & Upwards

Great story out of Alabama about two amazing former foster-youth who are now succeeding in college.

admin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 02:52:47 +0000

“Hudson, a social work major with a 3.7 grade-point average, said his turning point came when a mentor showed him a path to his future. Social worker Alice Westery “saw me as a regular child,”Hudson said. “She helped me inspire change within me. (People in the foster care system) actually believed in me.”

Link to the full story.

Great story about some former foster-youth in South Dakota who are making their way through college.

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:55:26 +0000

“Hernandez feels the same. He is now a student at South Dakota State University where he is studying architecture. He still keeps in touch with some of his foster parents. There are still areas of his life that are touched by his past. He doesn’t have a home to go to over the holidays, or for the summer, like his college peers will.

“I was worried about that,” he said. “But everyone has offered to let me stay with them. They’re really supportive. We still have a bond. I could still ask them for anything.”

Full story here.

Amazing story of foster-youth who has overcome huge difficulties. He’s succeeding at college and is now an advocate for foster-youth himself!

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:56:31 +0000

From the article: As president of his local Youth Advisory Board and a peer mentor with Kids Central, Inc., a Florida not-for-profit agency, McCullough is that voice. He listens to kids in foster care and those who “age out” of the system, and takes their concerns to lobbyists in Tallahassee, Fla. He conducts speaking seminars and teaches life skills classes, showing kids how to cook, fill out job applications, and succeed independently. For his service to foster children in the community, FosterClub recognized McCullough as one of 100 Outstanding Young Leaders in 2010.

“I want every foster kid to have a chance like I had,” says McCullough. “Talents are given to be used. If you allow somebody the opportunity, they will go out and use those talents for the better.”

Link to the full story here!

Great story about a new law in California raising the age limit at which foster youth age out of the system from 18 to 21

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:08:52 +0000

Key quote from a foster-youth:

“I’m not grown up all the way, but I’m getting there,” Franks said. “For the youth that want to shoot high, they’re going to need help if they’re going to get off on the right foot.”

Link the full story here.

Great story about foster-youth finding homes for the holidays.

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:10:40 +0000

“Far too few foster kids know how to seek help when it’s needed. “After years of being labeled as ‘legal orphans,’ they are loathe to come forward, so institutions they attend are unaware of their needs,” she says. “We tell them to speak up and let people know they need help. We need more safe, caring adults like Henk Evers who have the ability to make a difference in their lives to come forward. They need to know that people care.”

Big thanks to all of my foster-families for making a difference in my life.

Link to the full story here.

Great story out of about the need for resources that will help foster-youth succeed in college.

admin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 03:12:37 +0000

Key quote:

“There is not a safety net if they run out of money or if they have a bad day,” she said. They don’t have what most students have. Most student have the family safety net that absorbs them during tough times. They have the stresses of college and then on top of that they have the challenges of trying to repair lost relationships with family, case workers, and the difficulty of healing from abuse, neglect and separations that happen in the foster care experience.”

Link to the full story here.

Great quote from a former foster-youth who’s now attending Harvard as an undergrad.

admin — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 03:22:28 +0000

“As far as foster care goes, I was very fortunate. But succeeding in foster care shouldn’t be about luck. The abuse, neglect and uncertainty; the new places and the strange faces that muddled my home experience — all of this was bad enough without the compounding factor of a social and academic life in tatters. I do not know if I could have persevered without my friends, school, and community.”

Link to the full story.

North Carolina Scholarships for Children of War Veterans

admin — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:23:10 +0000

Contact Name: Wayne Peedin
Phone Number: N/A
E-mail:wayne.peedin@ncmail.net
Address: North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs, 1315 Mail Service Center, Albermarle Building, Suite 1065, Raleigh, NC 27699-1315
Website: N/A
Notes: Applicant must be a dependent of a veteran who served during a period of war.

North Carolina Nurse Scholars Program

admin — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:22:36 +0000

Contact Name: N/A
Phone Number:(800) 700-1775 ext. 313
E-mail:N/A
Address: North Carolina Nurse Scholars Program, PO Box 14223, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-4223
Website: http://www.cfnc.org
Notes: Applicant must be North Carolina resident for tuition purposes; scholarships up to $3,000; loan forgiveness for nursing service in North Carolina.

Massachusetts Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program

admin — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:22:09 +0000

Contact Name: N/A
Phone Number:(617) 727-9420
E-mail:N/A
Address: Office of Student Financial Assistance, Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, 454 Broadway, Suite 200, Revere, MA 02151
Website: http://www.osfa.mass.edu
Notes: Program provides grant assistance for students from low income or disadvantaged backgrounds who have had to overcome adverse circumstances. Minimum GPA 2.5.