Greetings!
Can you believe it? April is right around the corner! Wear blue on April 1 to show your support for Child Abuse Prevention Month--please post on social media or send it to us and we'll create a collage of support.
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Old National Bank's local branches will be raising awareness by displaying special blue pinwheels. Thanks so much to Kim Rivas and her team for caring about our youth and making a difference.
Below we have lots of great resources for foster youth looking for college scholarships, summer opportunities for high school students, and information on Kids Matter Inc.'s next Power of Attorney for health care legal clinic for former foster/kinship youth. We hope these are useful to you or someone you know!
Sue
Susan Conwell, JD
Executive Director
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Join the Kids Matter Book Club! |
We'll meet on Monday, April 19th at 6:00 pm over Zoom to discuss "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Pulitzer Prize–winning author Isabel Wilkerson. This book examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America and shows how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions. It was widely named as one of the best books of 2020.
If you’d like to join the discussion, email volunteer@kidsmatterinc.org to become a member. Please have "Book Club" in the subject line and include your name, preferred email address, and let us know if you're a CASA volunteer in the body of the email. We hope to see you over Zoom!
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College Scholarships for Foster Youth |
We've compiled some good opportunities for foster youth going to college. Please share if you know of any more local or national scholarships!
Did you know many public universities and community colleges have staff and programs dedicated to helping former foster youth navigate higher education? Everyone needs support--students should reach out to their current or prospective school to find out how to take advantage of resources and support. MATC has retention coaches to help students create a college success plan. We'll feature more of MATC's resources in a future newsletter. At UW-Milwaukee, Tawney Latona directs Fostering Success, which helps students from independent backgrounds, including foster care, attend college.
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Education and Training Vouchers (ETV)
Foster youth who have participated in their county's independent living program can use ETV funds for tuition, fees, books, transportation to school, housing, child care, uniforms, or testing fees. To apply, submit a written educational plan and budget to the county independent living coordinator. Click here to find the coordinator in each county and ask them for assistance with ETV funds.
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The nsoro Foundation Scholarship
The nsoro Foundation provides renewable scholarships of varying amounts to foster youth headed to college. Students must certify that they are currently placed in foster care, a ward of the state, and/or eligible for ILP having aged-out of foster care as a young adult.
Application Deadline: May 15, 2021
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Ackerman Academic Excellence Scholarship from National CASA/GAL
CASA volunteers, has your CASA youth demonstrated a commitment to academic achievement? Talk to Kids Matter CASA today about nominating them for the 2020 Akerman Academic Excellence Scholarship from Akerman LLP and the National CASA/GAL Association for Children! This $2,500 scholarship is renewable for up to four years and can be used towards books, registration costs, transportation to school, meal plans and other related expenses.
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Scholarships from the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)
The Anne Ford Scholarship is a $10,000 scholarship ($2,500/year over four years) granted to a graduating high school senior who will be enrolled in a full-time bachelor’s degree program in the fall. Students must have a documented learning disability (LD) and/or ADHD.
Application Deadline: April 5, 2021
The Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship is a $5,000 scholarship awarded over two years ($2,500 each year) to a graduating high school senior who will enroll in a two-year community college, a vocational or technical training program, or a specialized program for students with LD and/or ADHD in the fall. Students must have a documented learning disability (LD) and/or ADHD.
Application Deadline: April 5, 2021
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Summer Opportunity for Teens |
Wisconsin Real Estate Exchange (REEX) Summer Program
Are you helping a teen of color think about career options? Consider helping them sign up for this opportunity to learn about commercial real estate. REEX is a virtual, two-week program (July 12-23) for rising high school juniors and seniors. The program is dedicated to helping high school students of color take charge of their future and provide knowledge about career opportunities in commercial real estate. Students will learn what it takes to design, build, manage, own, and sell commercial real estate and develop generation wealth! Coursework will be taught by local and regional university partners as well as local real estate industry professionals. Scholarships are available for a limited number of Wisconsin students. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 31st.
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Legal Clinic for Current and Former Foster/Kinship Youth |
Kids Matter Inc. is offering free advice and assistance with filling out the Power of Attorney for health care form. This is a great opportunity for young adults raised in foster or kinship care to make sure that someone you trust is making health care decisions for you in an the event that you are incapacitated. View full flyer here.
Who: All young adults aging out or who have aged out of foster care, or were raised by a relative. You must be 18 years old or older.
When: Friday, May 21st, 2021
How: The legal clinic will be held over Zoom. After signing up, you will be emailed a personal Zoom link to join your appointment at the scheduled time.
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