I was recently the keynote speaker for a fundraiser benefiting foster youth. The event, held at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, raised $37,900 for Michigan’s Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund. Without family support, many foster youth cannot afford college. Additionally, even if they find funding to attend, many drop out before completing their degree because they have few supports. Programs that provide financial, practical, and emotional supports to foster youth increase their chances of achieving academic success. If you are thinking about giving back to your community, see how you might support a college success program for foster youth in your area. Helping a former foster youth to avoid becoming another negative statistic, creates a positive change for generations to come.
