Cal State East Bay91麻豆天美app Renaissance Scholars Program Honors Scholarship Recipients, Program Graduates

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  • April 29, 2016

To mark National Foster Care Awareness Month, the will host a celebratory luncheon to honor recipients of 2016-17 scholarships and acknowledge program graduates. In addition, donors will be recognized for providing resources to support the program, which serves current and former foster youth enrolled at CSUEB.

The invitation-only event will take place on Friday, May 20 from 12–2 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the New Student Union on the Hayward campus. The event cost is $30 per person for those who are not current Renaissance Scholars Program participants. Reservations are required by May 11. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

According to Renaissance Scholars Program Coordinator Dr. Lael Adediji, research shows the vast majority of foster youth find college desirable and want to enroll, however more than 40 percent of foster youth in California don’t graduate from high school and only 11 percent earn a four-year degree. Foster youth are often confronted by challenges such as finding stable housing, managing funds and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“The Renaissance Scholars Program seeks to change these statistics by providing current and former foster youth with the support services they need, including advising, counseling, personal support and participation in our community of other scholars who are striving for success,” Adediji said.

Student Venora Tooks said the program gave her the push she needed to complete her degree.

“The Renaissance Scholars Program provided me with not only the opportunity to do better, but also to change what’s expected of me,” said Tooks, a Renaissance Scholars Program participant and liberal studies major. “It was a lot of pressure. There were many days I felt like giving up, but the support kept me lifted and grateful. Now, five years later, I am ready to graduate and never let my past hold me back, thanks to this program.”

For more information or for tickets contact the Renaissance Scholars Program at renaissance@csueastbay.edu or (510) 885-4422.