Reaching for a STAR by Salome Singleton
Every star deserves to shine. Ms. Jacqueline Awe would agree as she dedicates herself to the STAR program for the second year. Students that are rising (S.T.A.R.) is a support program for foster and adopted college students. This program relies on donations from Savannah State faculty and staff members to provide the resources needed for these students to live an independent life. Just what you think isn’t an issue for anybody is an issue for them stated Awe. Awe realized that after students are aged out of foster care they struggle transitioning to college life because of their lack of essentials needed in order to live a predominant life. Since the state cuts back on resources such as toiletries, amount of food, and school supplies donations are their most reliable source.
Awe states that when you get up in the morning you have toothpaste, soap, etc. She asked me where did I go for spring break. This made me realize that these students do not have a home. She states that many don’t have a family to go back to because their family is in jail or things of that sort. There are 31,804 homeless youths enrolled in Georgia schools, 50% of homeless youth drop out of school, and 1,603 of Georgia’s high school seniors are homeless.
The STAR program is also connected with nsoro which is also a support program based in Atlanta which provides scholarships, care packages, gift cards, learning camps, emotional support and mentors. The Orange Duffel Bag foundation also has a connection to STAR which is a program that supports at risk youth by empowering them to create their own individual, dynamic life plans, and support them in formulating and achieving their goals. Awe tells me that there are currently 6 students in the STAR program. Awe states that there are not many because of the stigma attached to foster care. It is identified as a loner and people are ashamed. This is where students can become involved. They could encourage their friends who they know are aged out of foster care and encourage them to come get help and go with them so they want be alone in the process. Statistics show that there are 8,500 Georgia youth who are in foster care, 70% who attend college, go to a technical or community college, and only 3% will graduate from college.
Ms. Beamon, ILP coordinator for region 12 estimated that within the last 2 years, she lost about 12 students that were in college and quit because they were unable to navigate the system. Awe states that these students that drop out of college go where they need to go to make a living. Some become victims of human trafficking and things of that sort. Statistics show that after transitioning from care to adulthood 54% earned a high school degree nationally and 50%-63% locally. Only 2% obtained a bachelors degree nationally as well as locally, nationally 84% became a parent, 42% locally, nationally 51% unemployed , 30% locally, nationally 30% have no health care insurance, 29% locally, nationally 25% had been homeless, 26% locally.
As I was sitting in her office several faculty members contacted her about giving donations and it is greatly needed as she showed me the scarcity of the resources that she currently has. Tanisha who is a student in the STARS program states that she is really excited to be apart of the STARS program because no one really knows how hard it is for someone who has no help once they transition in to the college life. They can’t just simply call home and ask mom for $20 bucks. Having this program is a start to making things better for former and current foster youth. Its purpose is so much more than trying to provide items that are needed, but it’s also a support group letting the people involved know that someone is in their corner and really cares about them. Someone who really understands what it feels like to be alone.
Awe wants the students to know that they are not alone We have a very supportive faculty, staff and administration that want to help them stay in school, complete college in 4 years, and be a successful alum. If you came out of that system and are struggling please contact Awe. There will be a one day conference about the star program at Savannah State University on April, 25th from 9am to 3:30pm to increase college access and improving educational and life outcomes for Georgia’s college-aged at-risk youth for any faculty members who are interested.