By Sylvia A. Alva, contributing writer
It started in a moment of crisis for a student, challenging the status quo and stretching the university to work differently, to respond with compassion, and to do the right thing.
In the late 1990s, a freshman turned 18 and aged out of foster care during the summer between high school and college. She suddenly found herself without housing. Cal State Fullerton dorms were not staffed year-round and her hopes of attending college seemed to end before they could begin.
The student reached out for help and with the approval of then-President Milton Gordon, staff were given the greenlight to challenge “how they always did things.” They were empowered to provide housing solutions that broke the mold of typical dorm life. A partnership with Orangewood Foundation took root, and through both private support and innovative thinking, the student could move into the dorms before the semester started.
The bravery of just one student courageous enough to ask for help, started a movement.
It soon became clear this was not an isolated experience. While former foster youth often met the rigorous qualifications to attend Cal State Fullerton, circumstances beyond their control could many times derail their academic journey.
Cal State Fullerton responded by creating the Guardian Scholars Program. This work continues today and actively promotes social mobility by empowering students to disrupt cycles of poverty and trauma, and it is now being done all over the United States, thanks to the Titan community and partners like Orangewood Foundation.
Our Guardian Scholars Program was the first of its kind 25 years ago and led to the creation of 90 additional student support programs for former foster youth at universities and colleges throughout the country, including all 23 CSUs.
According to the National Foster Youth Initiative, only 3% to 4% of former foster youth obtain a four-year college degree because it is uncommon for students…
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