Funding Futures is an annual community effort led by Valley Youth House. This campaign raises funds for school/dorm supplies and tuition assistance for youth in foster care, and ensures that every young person who is a member of the Achieving Independence Center (AIC) and enrolled in college receives as much support as possible to eliminate barriers to academic success. The AIC provides a space where youth in dependent care can be connected, educated, and empowered as they strive toward independence.
If you’re sending a young adult to college this Fall, you are likely experiencing a lot of mixed emotions: joy, excitement, hope, and maybe a little worry, for your child’s future. As we shake sand off our sandals, pull sweaters from the back of our closets, and prepare for the first days of school, let us remember that this exciting transition and start to a new school-year is not easy for every young person.
Rather than joyously shopping for dorm-room or apartment supplies, choosing that perfect first-day of classes outfit, or picking out your first college-branded sweatshirt from the school bookstore, some young adults are trying to determine if they’ll be able to afford their tuition this semester or have to drop out of college. They’re wondering how they will pay for a laptop so they can participate in their education fully, how they’ll afford meals while in school, or where they can find an affordable textbook to purchase. Balancing these stressors while pursuing an education is challenging at best, and made even more difficult without the care or a supportive adult and a community to care.
Here at Valley Youth House we want to do everything we can to ensure young people have the support and community they need to achieve a successful future, whether that means pursuing higher education, a career, or tradework after completing high school. That’s why we are asking for your support today for laptops, textbooks, tuition assistance, dorm/apartment supplies, and meals for our graduating high schoolers.
As a young person pursuing higher education, Amah, struggled to cover rising expenses. He said:
“When I started my undergrad studies at Lock Haven University, I was filled with ambition and determination, but also burdened by financial worries. The simple yet profound act of receiving a laptop and having my books paid for was a game-changer. It alleviated the stress that had been weighing heavily on my shoulders, allowing me to focus on my studies and embrace the full college experience.”
Support from Valley Youth House allowed Amah to complete his education, he said “These resources not only opened doors to knowledge and innovation but also instilled a sense of empowerment within me. Knowing that I had a supportive community behind me gave me the courage to reach higher, aim further, and defy the odds stacked against foster youth in academia.”
