On Tuesday, Feb. 9, the Orphan Foundation of America (OFA) was going to hold its annual Congressional event that joins together Members of Congress, foster youth, foster youth advocates and others to celebrate the potential of foster youth. In addition, OFA was going to launch its Foster Care to Success program, a new, national volunteer movement that will connect caring volunteers across America to foster youth in their communities and help these young people learn essential life skills.

Due to the weather in D.C., the Tuesday, Feb. 9 event has been canceled.

More details on the Foster Care to Success program and how groups of people can get involved will be available after March 1. In April, which is National Volunteer Month, groups of volunteers will be engaged and pursuing activities that will make a difference in so many young people’s lives.

Everyone hopes to receive something special on Valentine’s Day! Join Members of Congress, Federal Express, Alliant Credit Union and other corporate partners on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 to recognize the importance of the 7,500 Care Packages OFA annually sends to foster youth in colleges across the country. The Valentine’s Day packages send a special message – red scarves hand-made by compassionate volunteers, chocolates, and gift items students want and need tell these young people that they are part of a caring community.

This year, OFA will be joined by a special guest: actor and child advocate David Keith. Best known for his Golden Globe-nominated role in An Officer and A Gentleman, David is also is a spokesman for PROTECT: The National Association to Protect Children, and was recently recognized for his advocacy work with a 2008 Director’s Community Leadership Award from the FBI.

Meet a few of the 4,000 college students OFA supports annually and hear about their hopes, their dreams and their determination to succeed despite the challenges unique to having been in foster care.

On December 17, 2009, Orphan Foundation of America sponsored students and staff joined Senators Landrieu (D- LA) and Grassley (R-IA) to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. The Program provides for support for foster youth in independent living programs and those aging out of foster care. States use Chafee to offer youth education and training vouchers, housing, and counseling.

Students Shanna G of Maryland, attending Morgan State University, and Faith S of South Carolina, attending Winthrop University, attended the event on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC with Orphan Foundation of America’s CEO, Eileen McCaffrey.

The OFA/Casey Family Scholars scholarship application for 2010-2011 is now available online at www.orphan.org. Students still in foster care, those adopted after age 16, placed in legal guardianship after age 16, or who have lost both parents to death may be eligible to apply. Graduate scholarships are also available to those who qualify.

These scholarships are awarded based on a combination of merit and need, and funding levels are determined based on cost of attendance and other resources. Apply early!

To find out how you can support an OFA scholarship student, contact scholarships@orphan.org.

Longtime OFA scholarship sponsor Amy Bernstein was in town last weekend to visit her son, a freshman studying political science at The George Washington University, and she shared a lovely breakfast with scholarship director Tina Raheem at Washington’s historic Union Station.

Ms. Bernstein has been funding scholarships for many years, and the student she currently helps to fund, Nanjiba will be graduating from West Virginia University in May 2010 with a dual degree in Marketing and French. As Nanjiba recently said, “I remember five years ago, I walked into the University, frightened and feeling small. I felt that graduation was so far away but now it’s only one more semester away. Some days I didn’t think I would come to see that day for graduation; when every homework and test seemed to difficult to accomplish, but now I am almost at the end of the tunnel and cannot wait to walk proudly with two degrees across that stage; and it’s all because of your generosity and the support from OFA.”

Ms. Bernstein supports OFA and the scholarship program in honor of her two children and the daughter of her heart, a young woman for whom Ms. Bernstein and her husband are “voluntary parents.” As Ms. Bernstein says, “I simply can’t imagine going to college and facing young adulthood without parents or a family.”

Ms. Bernstein also supports the OFA Care Package program and recently contributed packages for three OFA scholars who attend The George Washington University.

THANK YOU, Mrs. Bernstein! It is the investment and support of generous individuals like you that gets our students through college. Truly, their success is a testament to your belief in America’s foster youth.

To find out how you can support an OFA scholarship student, contact scholarships@orphan.org. To contribute to our Care Package Program, click HERE.

Applications are now being accepted for OFA’s InternAmerica program, a six-week intern program during the summer of 2010 in the nation’s capital. InternAmerica allows OFA students to gain valuable workplace experience, networking opportunities, and allow youth to serve as spokespersons in a variety of environments to promote the promise and potential of older youth.

This past summer, 20 OFA students spent six weeks in Washington, DC, working at congressional offices, non-profits, and corporations. Rounding out their six weeks in Washington, InternAmerica students were treated to a host of workshops for professional development: resume writing, networking, time management skills, etc. Hosted by national corporations, these workshops provided students with tools and skills to launch their careers after graduation.

Think this might be an opportunity for you? Find out more about our InternAmerica program.

We often get letters from OFA students. April, a recent graduate from University of California, Riverside, and recipient of our OFA Scholarship every year she was in school, sent us this fantastic letter, and fun picture of her and her new husband. April, we are so proud of you!

——–

There are not many things to say that will adequately cover how I feel about all that you do. I have not been very good at expressing my gratitude. Partly because of my own memory issues, and partly because I tend to get overwhelmed with gratitude and then don’t know what to say! Thank-you doesn’t seem like it properly expresses what I feel.

OFA has been an amazing network of support. One of my strongest memories was of when, early on in my relationship with OFA, my engine totally went out in my car. I told you about it with no real intention other than venting. I was blown away when I received a check to fix my car. There have been so many times where I have seen fellow students run into trouble and turned to their parents for help. I have always tried to keep perspective, but have always had a part of me that was envious and sad that I didn’t have that kind of support. When you paid for my car repair, I realized that I truly did have that kind of support.

Aside from the financial support, you guys are just an awesome group of people. Your emails were always consistently loving and upbeat. I think the first couple of years of college were really rough for me. I was going through a divorce and overwhelmed with life and just sad a lot. You did a great job of staying positive and reminded me to do the same without lecturing me; you just lead by example. As a result, I started noticing the way I tended to come off, and made a conscious effort to change my outlook. You have been a role model in more ways that you know.

In short, you are very loved and appreciated. I am married, graduated, and in the real world now, and it’s scary, but not nearly as it once was.

Please also know that if I can ever give back in any way, I would love to.

Sincerely,

April M.

Sunday night was OFA’s first spaghetti dinner for our local DC, Maryland and Virginia students. It was held at the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church in Maryland, and about a dozen students came. They shared stories and got to know each other over delicious plates of spaghetti and meatballs with bread, salad, and cookies for dessert. Lynn Davis, Christelle Gorman and Tina Raheem represented OFA, and Linda and Joan came on behalf of the ladies of the church.

Those who attended had a great time, and when we do this again in the spring we know we’ll have a crowd. Good things sometimes start small, after all.

And in the meantime, a dozen happy students not only met new friends, but will be eating scrumptious leftovers for the next couple of days!

OFA is pleased to announce a new scholarship partnership with Poksak, an innovative reusable tote bag company out of Rhode Island. Poksak believes in giving back to the community in a big way, and has started the Poksak Foster Fund to support foster youth in college. We are proud to collaborate with them in this generous effort and look forward to welcoming Poksak Scholars to OFA in the fall of 2010.

For more information on Poksak and the Foster Fund, and to see statements from OFA students, click Here.

Former foster child Abdi Yusuf discusses the importance of support and help from San Diego orphan foundations, specifically The Casey Family Programs.

Hi Everyone,

Facebook Causes came up with a great way to help non-profits raise funds and it’s FREE to us!

Go to our causes page http://www.causes.com/orphandotorg and download the Causes Bar – Every time you do a web search using the Causes tool bar Facebook donates .01 to www.orphan.org – I downloaded it and used it for the past two days raising .55 cents for the Orphan Foundation of America. Multiply that times a thousand people a day and it’s hundreds of dollars funding scholarships for foster youth!

It’s a win, win for all of us.

Please go to our causes page and download the Causes tool bar and help the Orphan Foundation of America!

Many aged out foster youth are used to getting mail addressed to: RECIPIENT so when an OFA Care Package shows up at their door steps, it’s an affirmation that they’re not alone in this big world. It may seem like a small gesture to you and me but to a teenager on their own and no family to look to, it means the world. It means someone cares about them.

Knitters are busy making scarves for the next batch of OFA care packages and now we are reaching out to you for even more help. The RED SCARF FUND FOR FOSTER YOUTH provides for the emergency needs of our students: housing, medical bills, transportation and more. The scarf gives them comfort, The Red Scarf Fund for Foster Youth provides for their emergency needs.

Will you help us help foster youth? Donate now to the Red Scarf Fund for Foster Youth. 100% of your donations go directly to paying their emergency needs.

Read more about charity knitting and crocheting, featured in this week’s Albany Times Union newspaper in New York.

From foster care to a doctorate of pharmacy – A Foster Care to Success Story – http://orphan.org/blog/?p=275

Sen. Mary Landrieu and OFA Executive Director Eileen McCaffrey featured in “The Hill” – Mentoring Foster Youth http://orphan.org/blog/

A million different foster homes. One million different rules ck out OFA blog: http://www.orphan.org

OFA’s national announcement on the power of internships for foster youth: http://s7y.us/sc5 — get employers involved!

Internships launch careers for foster youth: http://orphan.org/blog/?p=267

This poem was sent in by Corri Pierce, a recently emancipated foster youth living in Pasadena, California.

FOSTER CARE
A million different foster homes
One million different rules
A million different families
And one million new schools

A million reasons to never give up
A million to avoid being a failure in life
One million more to never lose hope
But only one you to decide

This past week, a group of outstanding college scholars arrived in the nation’s capital to spend part of their summer break immersed in a new world of experience — one that promises to ease their entry into job markets and launch their career paths.

They’ll be working in an array of Congressional offices, corporations and non-profit organizations for six weeks; and their internship experience will be complemented by a full slate of professional development workshops offered by experts from the business community.

Today’s job market is more competitive than ever. For young people without family support, connections and work experience to rely on, good paying skilled jobs are out of reach – and internships are very difficult to secure. The internships OFA facilitates don’t just help these youth get a foot in the door; they offer strong networking opportunities, add prestige and substance to their résumés, and help them become assets in the workforce.

By many accounts, employers stand to gain as much as the young people in their charge. A recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that 83 percent of employers reported higher retention rates for those with internship experience. As an HR director who managed OFA interns last summer commented, “We see the human resource pool shrinking every year. It’s a challenge to find and keep good people. These interns are bright and motivated; and if we can get them back after graduation, it’s a win-win for both of us.”

This year’s distinguished roster of internships includes:

* Jazzlynne Allensworth – California State University-Monterey Bay; Interning at the National Association for Education of Young Children

* Passion Anderson –Buffalo State College; interning at Siemens Corporation

* Amanda Babine — Wheelock College; interning at Kidsave

* Kayla Boland — Patton College; interning at the Office of Congressman Robert Aderholt

* Malcolm Brewer – Brooklyn College; interning at The Nature Conservancy

* Alix-Marie Coletta — University of Massachusetts Dartmouth; interning at DC Metropolitan Foster and Adoptive Parent Association

* Andre’ Cooley — University of Southern Mississippi; interning at American Bar Association

* Felicia Fort – Benedict College;interning at Salt River Project

* Darryl Gentry — Fayetteville State University; interning at CASA for Children of DC

* Evan Harris – NC State University; interning at Department of Labor – JobCorp

* Ashley Jackson — Missouri State University; interning at Epiphany Productions

* Serena King — Clark Atlanta University; interning at EWS & Associates

* Sarah Lucas – State University of New York, Geneseo; interning at the Office of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter

* Isha McNeely — Portland State University; interning at Washington Hospital Center

* Justin Meredith — Indiana University – Southeast; interning at Commitee on Education & Labor

* Daniel Muzic — Bluegrass Community & Technical College; interning at American Nurses Association Government Affairs Office

* Brandi Schoel – Texas Women’s College; interning at Reform Institute

* Chan Sok — Brigham Young University; interning at CASA for Children of DC

* Alberto Sosa — State University of New York – Binghamton; interning at Reform Institute

* Danny Sweet-Clyne — Evangel University; interning at Office of Congressman Roy Blunt

For the next five weeks, we’ll be following their progress in Washington and capturing some of their stories, photos, and experiences here on the OFA Blog. Stay tuned!

I just got this message via LinkedIn from a colleague in the field:

Katie Bailey has sent you a message.
Date: 6/02/2009
Subject: story

Hi Doug,

I don’t know if you’ll remember or not, but EFC, the organization I work for (Education Finance Council), added you to our website last year. I really enjoyed learning from you about your program and just think what y’all do is terribly important. From time to time I find myself telling people about OFA. Usually it’s in casual conversation, but a few months ago I was giving a presentation as part of a panel at the National Network for Youth conference in DC. I was presenting with a woman from the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth and a woman from College Goal Sunday about college access programs and other college support issues.

At one point during the Q & A somebody asked a question that naturally teed-up OFA so I mentioned your organization and the care packages that your organization sends out, etc. Well, I could have fallen over, but there was a college aged girl in the crowd who, while previously seemed pretty disengaged, became very excited and said, “I got a care package from OFA. I still am using the chapstick that was in it…” She went on for a while about how much it meant to her and I thought that was just such a cool thing to see the life of a girl your organization helped to impact for the better. I have been meaning to tell you that story but our industry has been all topsy-turvy lately (like the rest of the world!) and haven’t slowed down to write you till today.

At any rate, I wanted to pass that along.

Best wishes,
Katie Bailey

Thank you from all of us, Katie. We’ve heard little “OFA anecdotes” like this before; and I always say that our students are our best spokespeople.

Foster youth are our best spokespeople: http://www.youtube.com/user/OrphanDotOrg

Huffington Post Blog: “Letting Go of a Foster Baby, With Great Reluctance”: http://orphan.org/blog/?p=264

From our friend Tamar Abrams, writing in her blog on The Huffington Post::

Today I spent three hours in Hell – the waiting room of the Family Court at the Arlington County, VA courthouse. As the foster parent of an infant, I was a tiny cog in the cumbersome wheel of a five day hearing which was actually taking place nine days after the baby was removed from her mom. But who was counting?. . .

. . .Our case, scheduled for 10:45 a.m., was finally called a little after noon. But it was again delayed as a translator was sought and as the defendant sat alone on her side of the courtroom, without representation. When her attorney arrived, she knew nothing about the case, the defendant, or even what kind of hearing it was. (NINE day hearing, I wanted to shout.) The judge also knew nothing about the case until he opened the folder. And yet, the clock was ticking. The Guardian Ad Litem (appointed to protect the rights of the foster baby) popped in long enough to say he would go along with whatever the county attorney chose to do but he was needed on another case. And then he was gone.. . . .

Less than 10 minutes after the judge took the bench, we were all ushered out, shaking our heads in confusion. . . .

Read the full article HERE.

“If you are in foster care and turn 18, you are not ‘emancipated.’ You are thrown to the wolves.” Cinci-Enquirer — http://s7y.us/r6p