Find and Follow Us:
|
New Blog for Aged Out Youth in College
By Sam Levin, New York Daily News—A new blog was launched in May called “Student Ambassadors.” The site aims to share the experiences of former foster youth who are attending colleges in the New York area. 
Photo: Susana Mariscal
A Queens nonprofit, Forestdale, has formed a program that will have five students write for one year about college life.
"When they can see students that look like them that have transitioned out of foster care to good colleges, they can say, 'Oh, I can do that, too,'" said Rosemarie Ewing-James, assistant executive director of Forestdale.
The youth focus on the challenges they face in applying and paying for school. They also address the unique set of obstacles they see from aging out of foster care. Further, they share their successes to inspire youth to join them in higher education.
"It's really important to have role models," said Brittany Hillman, 21, a senior at Mercy College who was in foster care for over 10 years. "People who don't have parents need someone to look up to. I hope to help them. I want to give them my experience."
Only 2% of foster youth enroll in college and go on to earn a degree while almost a quarter of the general population will obtain their bachelor’s degree. Forestdale is hoping that by speaking to youth in their preferred medium that they will reach them and support them in their quest to succeed.
Courtesy of New York Daily News
Original Article: Foster kids transitioning into college life blog about their challenges