Fall 2010 Initiative for Former Foster Youth

Kimberly Snodgrass Risk and Prevention M. Ed

Candidate, 2010

REACH: Realizing Every Action Creates

Hope

AgendaWhat is REACH?VideoStatisticsIntroduction and ProblemAbout this projectConclusion

Foster Care Awareness Month: May

Introduction:Nationally, ~20,000 youth “age out” of foster care each year.

~70% have aspirationsOnly 20% of those who graduate from high school actually enroll in a higher education institution.

Only 26% of that 20% go on to earn a degree. This translates into a 1-2% completion rate of a college degree!

It is going to take a collaborative effort to dent what the “system” has created for our damaged and at risk youth.

ProblemFoster youth experience social and emotional problems due to their histories, this creates a negative impact on their abilities to learn.

Estimated 60% are performing at grade level, in comparison to the 80% of all schoolchildren (White, et. al).

1/3 of the “aged out” youth become homeless

Many youth are not accounted for services due to reunification, or running away.

Need: Children in foster care and labeled as at risk, need better guidance in all aspects of growing up individually. These children need resources at a younger age to raise the college question, and to push for success.

Children need knowledgeable families (legal guardian, foster families), social workers, and mentors to help guide them in a direction sometimes never dreamed of, college.

In order to reach this need we, as a society and community need to act as a whole, and not an individual.

Criticism with Aid:Entitlement mentality is created within receiving individuals or sub populations in dire need because of aid “just given”, and not tracked thereafter with a defined purpose for the receiver.

REACH will implement a tracking system in cohorts of the receiving scholars and will document the participant’s progress with gifts, aid, and learned skills. This will be used to measure success and impact.

AboutThis idea has been formed by Kimberly Snodgrass, a former foster youth and advocate from California. While Kimberly transitioned through college, work, life, social connections, and graduate school, she saw a need for support and opportunity for ALL.

The goals of REACH, derive from Kimberly’s first hand experience that, “everyone can impact society, no matter what life circumstances people have been through. And, if our stories can impact just one person, we have made a difference... Success is shown through the ability to inspire others—Making a social impact. We may not be able to change our past, but we can work hard towards our future.”

Mission: To inspire young peer leaders in foster care to reach their full potential as national and international change-agents in the pursuit of creating successful social entrepreneurs, leaders, and role models.

Vision:To create equal opportunities in education for children in at risk educationally including foster youth (wards of the state) in order to break the cycle of abuse, neglect, poverty, and destitute health conditions. Focus is on creating change agents while reshaping the focus from individual ethics to social ethics.

Since help is a two way street, REACH will be given the opportunity to give back what they have learned in order to help grow more successful world leaders, not just U.S. leaders (depending on access and grant opportunities)

Core Values:

CompassionEmpathyEmpowermentIntegrityResponsibilityLeadershipPhilanthropy Self-Identity

Mission Mentors: One-to-one mentor collaboration in order to assist young leaders in giving back to other communities (as well as their own).

This also creates international and cultural understanding and awareness to outside problems, not just the at risk youth’s problems in the U.S.

Workshop series designed with curriculum lesson plans will be used to teach participants culture, community, and leadership.

2 hours a week of guidance and goal setting with a one-to-one partnered mentor

Backpack for success- School supplies to achieve with clean and reliable resources

Hotline for help- number that youth can call when in need of a non-emergency, school related question

Wish list- Item that the student wishes to have, but cannot attain, this may be any desired item, but within guidelines.

Compensation for Success- Stipend for grade improvement, workshop-training completion, community service involvement, and more.

Family Preservation: Need to examine “at risk” youth who need parental guidance and support in order to help them during their educational years.

Programmatic Ideas

Programmatic IdeasHealth care services- Psychological and mental health services to children who are in critical need. –Awareness on eating healthy (for mental, dental, and physical reasons), living healthy, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Workshops for Independent Living- Money management, housing planning, friendship series (create and maintain relationships), family matters, study skills and habits, nutrition science on diet and grocery shopping, cooking class, safe sex practices, driver’s license and insurance, community service projects, entrepreneurship opportunities.

Stress Management Classes

Programmatic IdeasFitness Pass to local Gym- Need access and awareness of physical health up until the 25th birthday

Project Give Back: Travel to Mexico or Africa: Travel Ability and Service: Aid cannot just be given without giving to others first. Realize that they are still in a privileged society, and create educated change agents for the world, not just successful American leaders. Create an organizational partnership to allow these children to travel and serve others.

Need permission slips and contracts signed by legal guardians.

Smart GoalsGlobal AwarenessCollege Access and Application ProcessWriting ClassesMBA- Marketing and Business AcademyNon-Profit Leadership in U.S. and/or Internationally

Speakers on Economics, Geography, Social Science and History

ScienceMathPublic Speaking and Debate

Curriculum and Design

Opportunities Offered for Youth:September Resume / Job Interviews/ Goal Setting and Planning for Success

October Resume / Job Interviews/ The College Application Process

November Community Service opportunities, Self Advocacy

December Financial Aid 101, The Personal Essay and Story

January Scholarship SearchingFebruary Campus Tour and aspiring OpportunitiesMarch Assessing Financial Aid and Making Final Decision

April Career Exploration/goals week/life map/backpack plan

May End of the year Party

Outreach in the Community: Through My Eyes: Tell personal stories of success, partnerships, culture, and advocacy ideas for foster youth.

Beautiful Neighborhood- Clean DayHospital Visits with Christmas CardsCharity Night (Dinner, Dance, Silent Auction) Youtube awareness videos- Violence Prevention, Education is Cool

Food Drive- Canned and non-perishable goods to give to local food banks and families

Toy Drive- new toy donations to give to less fortunate children in our local community

Awareness Events- using banners, signs, and videos, youth will promote advocacy and awareness for the community.

Outdoor Leadership Training- Once a month possible

Additional Events College Prep and Opportunities Program

Boys/Girls Night OutFree tickets to various museums and cultural and sporting events

3 annual events including an end of the year Celebration with awards, Back-to-School Barbeque, monthly birthday celebrations, and a Christmas Party.

This YearREACH is partnering with non-profits nation-wide with foster parents, social workers, businesses, professionals, schools and students to uplift this program. REACH is in need of volunteers, seed money, and angels to assist in this momentum.

If you like this idea for the sake of being a partner, member, or know of a great contact please email: kimberlysnodgrass@gmail.com