Question asked of Lisa Dickson of ACTION Ohio: Most Rotary Clubs offer scholarships- unique barriers facing foster youth re: higher ed. What recommendations would you give to a Rotary Club that wants to build a special scholarship program for former foster youth?
Lisa's Answer:
Five – can everyone hold that number up for me?
- Five: That’s how many different high schools that the average foster youth attends.
- Do the schools use the same textbooks? NO.
- Do new schools always offer the same classes as their old one? NO.
- Do their credits always transfer? NO.
- With each transfer, how many months of academic progress are lost? Five.
- Five: For colleges and universities and others who want to make a difference for foster youth, we've mapped out the 5 R's of supporting student Resiliency in higher education.
- Scholarships are the doorway in, but student support services are how we stay there.
- Do dorms stay open over the holidays? NO.
- Is it easy to find a decent apartment when you don't have a cosigner? NO.
- Does the Pell Grant cover the entire cost of college? NO.
- Five: Imagine being a young person who ages out of foster care and trying to find a caring adult who is willing to help you practice learning how to drive for five hours. Now multiply that by 10, because Ohio now requires 50 hours for young people between ages 18-21 years old.
- Five: And how many hundred of dollars does driver's education cost? You guessed it: $500.
- Are any of us truly independent? NO.
- This is a personal one for me: I emancipated from foster care early and started college at age 16. I didn't learn how to drive until after earning my Master's degree.
- College support networks and youth advisory boards share this eco-cycle of group development.
- How many losses did the Columbus State Scholar Network experience last year?
- Five.
- It's going to take community support to put this program back together.
