Spotlight on: MAKING THE CONNECTION TO COLLEGE

Los Angeles City College Guardian Scholars Program

The Challenge

The dismal educational achievement of California’s foster youth continues to alarm advocates:

• 75% of youth perform below grade level,
• 46% percent drop out of high school,
• Fewer than 20% pursue a higher education degree, and
• Of those who do go to college, only 2% attain a four-year degree.

Lacking the “traditional” family support system, there is no safety net in place to help these youth weather the ups and downs of living independently and attending college. One small shift in their lives—housing, transportation, childcare, employment—can mean the difference between completing the semester and dropping out. Attainment of a higher education degree is significant for foster youth and leads to greater employment options, higher earning potential and increased sense of self worth, all critical components for strong, independent, and contributing adults.

The Guardian Scholars Program introduces, and then systematically reinforces, the idea in their mind that they [foster youth] can achieve anything - and a lot of them have never heard that before...Take small amounts of dollars and interventions in the lives of these young people and they soar

David Ambroz, Esq. Executive Director Los Angeles City College Foundation

About Los Angeles City College Guardian Scholars Program

The Los Angeles City College Guardian Scholars Program provides a comprehensive support system for foster youth students and helps them prepare to excel or achieve in their classes and pursue their dreams. Through the Guardian Scholars Program foster youth access an array of supports, including financial services, counseling, tutoring, life-skills training, mentoring, transportation, housing services and an emergency fund. This support is possible through a network of student services offices across the Los Angeles City College (LACC) campus and trained Guardian Scholars liaisons in key offices.

Progress to Date

After only one year, the Guardian Scholars Program has demonstrated a high level of success in supporting foster youth. Based on recent focus group results, the program has helped students better navigate college; prioritize and focus on school; believe in the attainment of a degree and their dreams; and build self-confidence and trust. Additional program results include:

• 30% more students received support, jumping from 39 scholars in fall 2009 to 55 in spring 2010.
• 75% of students continued from the fall to spring semester.
• 76% of students have maintained a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.
• 100% of the 23 students who requested housing support were successfully connected to safe and affordable housing.
• 100% of students received support services at least once a week.