OFA’s scholarship recipients are a wide and varied group. While they all have one thing in common, a history that brings them to OFA, their passions bring accolades far beyond where they started. Isaiah Wilcox, OFA Scholarship recipient and a Junior at Morehouse College in Georgia, was recently featured in his local newspaper, The Champion Free Press.

Isaiah, we are so proud of you for the work you’re doing and can’t wait to find out where you’re headed.

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Ask Anil Lewis about Isaiah Wilcox and prepare for a long list of accolades. The young man is on fire. He’s accepted his blindness, and he’s moving forward, said Lewis, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia (NFBGA). He has a lot of energy, a lot of passion.

He’s a transformative leader. That energy and passion are part of the reasons Wilcox received NFBGA’s Keith Tonge Leadership Award at the Downtown Decatur Holiday Inn in October. Wilcox, who is president of the board of the Georgia Association of Blind Students (GABS), an organization that he brought from a membership of three students two years ago to about 50 today, according to Lewis.

Wilcox, 21, is currently a junior studying business administration at Morehouse College. His goals are to get a degree in public relations and eventually open his own business. Wilcox was born five weeks premature with optical atrophy, a disease that impairs the nerve. He’s been blind since birth. My ultimate goal is to continue to get more involved in the community and really change what it means to be blind, said Wilcox. He said it’s crucial that statistics be improved such as the 70 percent unemployment rate among the blind and the 45 percent high school graduation rate among blind students.

And this isn’t Wilcox’s first recognition from NFBGA. In 2008, he was the recipient of a $3,000 college scholarship from the organization. I am dedicated to motivating, improving, and inspiring the lives of others to reach their highest potential educationally, professionally, and personally, is a quote attributed to Wilcox from the GABS Web site.

Life as a teenager was a little tougher than most for Colorado ETV student Jennifer L. She spent half her life in foster care after the death of her mother at age 12, and as the youngest of three children, was the first to graduate from high school.

OFA met Jennifer in 2005, as a first year college student. In the past five years, she’s worked her way to two Associates degrees – General Studies and Applied Science in Criminal Justice, with three mini certificates. She’s working, volunteering, and in her free time, the avowed animal lover cares for her six cats, two tarantulas, two salamanders, three fish, one frog and one turtle.

Through OFA, Jennifer received OFA Care Packages every semester, and one on one support with her ETV Coordinators. Every one of us at OFA is so proud of Jennifer and what’s she’s accomplished in the years we’ve known her!

OFA recently received this letter from Jennifer:

I just wanted to let you all know what a blessing the ETV program has been for me. Being the first person in my family to go to college has been a real treat. I appreciate all the support and the financial assistance you have offered me. Working part time and going to school can make it a challenge to pay the bills. ETV has helped me pay rent, repair my vehicle, purchase school clothes, keep food in the house, and be a little more worry free. As a college student, I often worry about how I am going to pay next month’s rent. It was such a blessing to receive funds to help me. I was able to save and budget out for all my bills. It has been so nice being able to pay all my monthly bills.

I wanted to share my goals and let you know how I know I can achieve them. I will graduate April 30, 2010 with an Associates of General Studies. After Summer semester I will graduate with my Associates of Applied Science in Criminal Justice with three mini certificates. I am very proud to have achieved two Associate degrees. I am currently volunteering at the Canon City Police Department, and hope to one day work there. I was, and am able to complete my goals and become an asset to my community from the support and dedication from the ETV Program. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. God Bless you all and once again thank you for believing in me! It is so encouraging to have someone you know you can count on. Thank you!

OFA scholarship student Sean Hudson fills us in on his first few monts at the University of Alabama. The path is never easy but he’s determined and we’re giving Sean our support and encouragement. We hope you will too.

Greetings and ROLL TIDE!!

Well, we had our first wave of exams last week and it was very interesting. I will honestly admit that I was not prepared to take a college exam, but so far I think I did pretty well. I made a 77 on Biology exam and I will know my Spanish exam score on Wednesday. I have figured out that I must change the way I study because obviously my old methods are not working effectively as they use to. However, I am enjoying the new and innovative ways to study and process new information.

I do have some good news. I am a member of Freshman Forum. Freshman Forum is a freshman organization designed to help freshman students adjust to campus life by planning different activities. I am so happy to be a part of Freshman Forum because it allows me to step outside of my comfort zone and make some new friends in a whole new way. I am also a member of SGA now, but I doubt I will be participating in SGA this semester because I wish to get use to campus life first. Also, I am doing quite well in the Emerging Scholars Program. The Emerging Scholars Program is a freshman research group that helps freshmen become familiar with research by teaming up with a faculty member from within their major. So as you can see, I am very busy. My next goal is to try and become an Avanti. An Avanti is a spokesperson for the University of Alabama who help incoming freshmen adjust and become familiar with the university. I really pray that I become an Avanti.

I am also taking advantage of all the campus resources that are available. I am part of the Trio Program with the Student Support Services and basically what this program does is help first generation students (and low-income students) adjust to campus life through counseling and mentoring to make sure they succeed in class. I am so blessed to be a part of that program because I really need all the help I can get.

I will admit that the first month into school was not an easy one. It was getting tough and I almost wanted to quit. Of course everything felt so overwhelming and I did not know where I could turn to. Then it happens. My Independent Living Program (ILP) Coordinator called and left a inspiring voicemail. She basically reminded me that I have the support of so many and especially God to help me succeed through my college career. She gave me the confidence I need to move forward and continue because I know that God is by my side! I do not know how I forgot that. I really do not. I mean I have OFA, my ILP Coordinator, and so many others that are behind me to make sure I succeed and now I am able to see it now.

I am truly falling in love with UA. The campus is so beautiful and enchanting, especially at night. On game days, there is so much school spirit that I have never seen before. I am finally able to see what it means say ROLL TIDE!!! It is that everlasting spirit that floats through the atmosphere. All the people that are here to help me, all the friends I can make….the possibilities are endless. I cannot wait to see what my future holds at the university!

So, I just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Thank you for being there for me and showing me you everlasting kindness without any hesitation. Thank for helping me get the resources that I need and thank for just being you; my support system. I know with you behind my back, I can succeed in college. I love OFA for that and you have my deepest gratitude!! I will keep you posted, as always, on my success on campus. If I need anything I will be sure to ask you.

–
Sean L. Hudson
Bama~~Freshman
D.R.E.A.M. Council President
ROLL TIDE ROLL!!

There are MANY students like Sean who have unmet needs and emergency expenses. OFA created the Red Scarf Fund to be there in their time of need. The RED SCARF FUND FOR FOSTER YOUTH provides emergency aid because life happens and foster youth don’t have the safety net most people call ‘family.’

Red Scarf aid has paid for:

· medical bills

· eyeglasses

· musical instrument repairs

· new tires to pass inspection

· and sadly, funeral expenses

All the things a traditional scholarship fund doesn’t cover, all the things a parent would – our young people count on the Red Scarf Fund to help them. 100% of every donation goes directly to helping our students. You can help now.

Greetings and ROLL TIDE!!

Well, this weekend I moved into my dorm at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa (UA). It was a huge transition for me considering the fact that I did not know anyone and I was saying goodbye to all my friends and the people that I love. On the day I departed from Bessemer, I went to say goodbye to people that were dearest to me, with my Independent Living Program (ILP) Coordinator being the first. She, of course, made it much more difficult to leave. She gave me more words of encouragement. She tells me how proud she was that I was going to college despite the entire obstacle that can before me. She was right though. I never thought in a million years that I would go to the UA. I always thought I would be going to Lawson State Community College, or probably even on the streets homeless. However, my dream was actually coming true. She pointed this out to me and made me realize that if I haven’t stayed determined and keep my faith in Him, I would not be where I am today.

After this I went to visit my biological mother and sister. Of course this is never easy because the history between my mother and me is very complicated. Nevertheless, we are working on strengthen our relationship. My mother told me that she was very proud that I am the first in the family in the family to go to college. She told me that UA is very big and that I should not feel intimated by it. She also told me that have the uttermost faith in me because she already knows that I am smart. She said that my sister and I were making her proud and she kind of cried a little. It was a touching moment in my eyes because this is the first time my mother has ever told me that. She goes on to tell me that my sister and she will constantly check up on me to make sure that I am staying on track.

I hung out with my friend until my foster mother pulled up and I knew it was time to go. To be honest I was getting even nervous because I knew that this was it. The trip to Tuscaloosa seemed long; it started raining which added to my concerns that are going to turn out bad. On top of that, we could not find my dorm. UA is a huge, beautiful campus it is easy to get lost. By the time we did find my dorm, I was very irritated. When my foster mother showed up told me that I should be getting irritated so easy. To be honest, I think the real reason I got so irritated was that I did not want to leave my home to build a new home here in Tuscaloosa. I did not tell her this, but I think she knew. When I got to my room, my foster mother did not hesitate to help me get organized. I was trying my best not to cry because I knew after we got though, she would have to go back home. When we were finished organizing my room, she told me that she had to go. I gave her a hug and tried my best to hold back the tears. After everyone left well, I was by myself with my roommates. They end up leaving for a party, so I was in my dorm room by myself.
The next day was no better. There was a barbecue behind my dorm and I tried my best to mingle with the other residents of my dorm but it was extremely hard. I do not know why I was having a hard time doing this because I usually do not have a problem mingling, but I guess I was still nervous.

Sunday was much better. My previous social worker came to visit me and helped me buy cleaning supplies for my dorm. I told how I was having a hard time mingling and she told me to just calm down and be patient. I went to a live festival that UA was offering and I met one friend and we talked for awhile. Several of people spoke and introduce themselves to me, which made me feel a little better about being here. All and all, this weekend was learning experience for me. Now I know what to expect. The attitudes and the personalities here are completely different from what I am use to at high school. I think the real reason I am afraid to mingle with the students is because of my background is totally different from theirs. Oh my…

I will admit that I am still very nervous about being here at a huge university; I am up for the challenge. Keep me in you thoughts and prayers and thank you for helping me get where I am today. I keep informing you on my progress here at UA.

Yours Truly,

Sean H.

OFA scholarship students and twin models, and aspiring actresses, Karri and Corri Pierce featured in Jet Settings magazine.

The twins define success this way, “Our definition of Success is being able to live your dreams the way you want, independently of any requirements, or any negativity.” Their main goal in life is “to become globally known as influences for good.” “We feel that America needs good people to look up to, and we have good hearts, and we will always uphold that calling to be good influences.”

They have eight other siblings, and describe their childhood in very bleak terms. Their parents were neglectful and abusive, and after their mother ran away, their father attempted to give them away to random strangers, “in hopes that we would have a better life.” A short time after that, the government became involved and split up the family, because Karri and Corri are twins they were allowed to stay together, but despite this small piece of luck, their lives soon became very tumultuous.

Read the entire article in Jet Setting Magazine.

Former foster youth face insurmountable obstacles in their journey through the foster care system. Despite these difficulties, many students from foster care manage to enter college and graduate.

Three OFA scholarship students were recently featured in California College Pathways for their educational success. Join us in applauding their efforts and congratulate them for beating the odds!

Susan Zaghlool should have been ecstatic. She was graduating in May from LECOM School of Pharmacy in Erie, Pa., with a Doctorate of Pharmacy, the culmination of four long years of work and the realization of a dream. But instead, the night before the big day, she found herself sobbing, engulfed by all her old foster-child fears and the familiar loneliness. Everyone else had family. Who would be there for her?

My dad took me out of school when I was 12 years old. This made me feel hopeless about my future.

Susan’s father, with his rigid old-world views, forced her to cook and clean and run his business. Had she still lived in the family’s native country, that might have been the end of the story. But the Zaghlool family had immigrated to the United States when Susan was 5 years old, and the state of Ohio had something to say about her fate. School officials noticed that while the Zaghlool boys were still in school, their bright young sister had been strangely absent for a month. Child welfare authorities removed Susan from the family’s mobile home and placed her in foster care, but because of legal difficulties, it was a year before she was back in school full time. Her father fled with her brothers to Canada; her mother was deported. Ultimately, Susan went to a group home in Cincinnati where she stayed for five years.

“At times, there were as many as were nine boys and nine girls in the group home. I never started a fight but I had to defend myself. I tried to be a role model, someone the girls could look up to.”

She graduated from high school with a 3.9 GPA and highest honors. But college seemed like a distant dream, even with her good grades, until her caseworker told her about the Orphan Foundation of America.

“OFA changed my life. I didn’t have a family and I had aged out of the Butler County system. OFA stepped in and became my family—financially, mentally, spiritually.”

Susan received $12,000 in scholarships from OFA, in addition to federal and state grants, to attend the University of Cincinnati. But more than that, with OFA, Susan had someone looking out for her. Her OFA mentors sent her regular care packages, cards and emails. Her high school mentor, John Kasak, a 78-year-old retired engineer, also stuck with her through college, even co-signing loans and the lease for a car. For the first time in her life, Susan felt like she had people in her life who really cared about her. In 2005, she graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a chemistry degree.

“I have to say that I don’t think I could have made it—I wouldn’t have been able to do this—without OFA. And it’s not just the scholarship. They’ve always been there when I needed them.”

At the Kroger grocery store, where she worked part time, Susan rose quickly from bagger to cashier. The manager, recognizing her smarts, tapped her to work in the pharmacy as an assistant. Susan wanted desperately to go to pharmacy school, but there was no grant money and her courage was flagging. Enter Barbara and Marshall Grimes. Barbara had volunteered for six years as an OFA virtual mentor, corresponding with OFA students via email. The couple wanted to give a scholarship to a pharmacy student in memory of Marshall’s father, who had been a pharmacist. Through the OFA scholarship program, the Grimes donated $5,000 a year for four years toward Susan’s pharmacy school tuition. With that vote of confidence and the emotional support from OFA, Susan had the courage to borrow the rest and embark on a course of rigorous study. Last year, she also became a U.S. citizen.

Barb and Marshall are just amazing people. All the way through pharmacy school, they were there for me, sending me emails and care packages with cookies. I will never be able to thank them enough.

And on the morning of graduation, Barbara and Marshall Grimes were there for her again. Susan had invited them to the ceremony, but she hadn’t really expected them to come all the way from their home in Virginia.

“It was the happiest day of my life. We hadn’t met in person before and you might think it would be awkward, but it wasn’t. It felt so comfortable. They have been so good to me.”

The Grimes gave Susan antique pharmacy tools that had belonged to Marshall’s father. They talked over dinner like a family about Susan’s job offers (four!) and her financial future. (Start saving now.) For the Grimes, who have no children of their own, watching Susan accept her diploma was like watching a daughter graduate. This time, when the tears flowed, they were Barbara’s tears. Happy tears.

Thousands of teenagers just like Susan need YOU to step up and help. Will YOU commit to making a difference?

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