B
eginning Fall 2016, SVCF launched our High School Pathway program in San Mateo County (SMC), with long term plans of bringing our Higher Education Pathway program to SMC students in foster care.
2. STEM Career Exploration
53 high school foster youth participated in our STEM Saturday programs and were placed in a paid STEM Summer internship.
Need: 75% of foster youth have little to no work experience by age 18.
3. High School Coaching Program
SVCF Emerging Scholars have a
77% high school completion rate. Need: Less than 50% of foster youth graduate high school.
4. Tutoring
95% who engaged in consistent tutoring met or exceeded scholarship academic requirements.
Need: 75% of foster youth are performing below grade level.
5. Higher Education
150 foster youth were provided the YES scholarship and education coaching support services. Our Scholars are 10X more likely to graduate. Need: Less than 3% of foster youth graduate college.
Meet Noor Kathem
Living My Dream
YES Scholar at De Anza College
My upbringing was plagued by war in the Middle East, displacement and child abuse. I came to the U.S. as a refugee and lived with my abusive mother, eventually entering the foster care system. I believe education is the best ticket to success. Despite many challenges, I studied hard so I could earn my high school diploma.
I currently am attending a community college, majoring in International Business. I aspire to be a well-rounded individual; pursing athletics, volunteerism and developing my leadership skills. I am passionate about wrestling and am proud to have taken 1st place this year, in my weight class, at the state championships.
I came to this country hungry to learn and my dedication, passion and perseverance has helped me earn a
3.7 transfer GPA. I am actively being recruited by universities for my success in wrestling.
The scholarship and tutoring support from SVCF has been essential in helping me reach my dream of earning an International Business degree and developing sustainable economics within the Middle East.
