By Dale Lendrum
Western Sun associate editor
For the thousands of foster youth who are emancipated each year, only 10 percent will enroll in college reflecting the dismally low diploma-holding rate of one percent.
Once emancipated, foster youth are confronted with endangering possibilities such as homelessness, lack of family support, and unemployment that can hinder their ability to attend college. Statistics from the League of Women Education Fund state that nearly half of foster youth find themselves homeless within the first 18 months. Additionally, more than 20 percent end up within some aspect of prison reform.
The EOPS/CARE Program of GWC expanded its services in 2009 to include emancipated foster youth. Chip Marchbank, Director of EOPS/CARE along with EOPS Counselor Michelle Sambrano and Coordinator of Learning Resources, Gregg Carr joined forces to address this underserved and overlooked student population.
Identifying the basic needs for the students to succeed, such as counseling services, financial assistance, and tutoring services became a priority, according to the program.
They would soon expand their services to provide assistance and referrals for housing and shelters, health services, a food pantry, and transportation to help students survive and thrive outside of the classroom.
“We look into their eyes when they tell us about their homelessness, transportation issues or the fact that they haven’t eaten for days,” Marchbank said. “But, they still come to our college.”
Those involved in the program are pleased with the progress so far but still has much work to be done.
Director Marchbank has formed an advisory committee that reaches out to the community and unites the Emancipated Foster Youth program with like-minded organizations that make a difference in the lives of these students such as the Orangewood Children’s Foundation Assistance League of Huntington Beach and StandUp for Kids.
