On the catwalk—Michelle Simmons, a Sacramento State Guardian Scholar, models Macy’s clothing in the 2006 Foster Youth Education Fund Fashion Show.
Imagine you have just turned 18 and the roof over your head is gone; financial support has vanished, and dreams of a college education no longer exist. This scenario is reality for approximately 250 youths emancipated from the foster care system in Sacramento County each year.
The Foster Youth Education Fund is a non-profit organization which provides educational grants for young people released from the foster care system in the Sacramento area.
The curtain goes up at 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 30 for the 6th Annual Foster Youth Education Fund Fashion Show at Sacramento State's University Union Ballroom. The fashion show, which features foster youths as the runway models, is the only event in which funds are raised for educational grants that benefit college-bound youths leaving the foster care system.
In 2006, the FYEF teamed up with the Guardian Scholars Program. While the FYEF distributes educational grants to foster youth planning to attend colleges in the area, the Guardian Scholars Program supports foster youth attending Sac State.
“Our goal is to really facilitate the students' experience here,” says Guardian Scholars Program director Joy Salvetti-Wolfe. “That way they won’t have to worry about housing, health care and financial aid; they can focus on their studies.”
Last year’s fashion show was significant for the Guardian Scholars program. It received $20,000 from the FYEF event earnings and all the earnings were earmarked for scholarships, Salvetti-Wolfe says.
The fashion show also gives back to the foster youth who participate.
“We love having our event at Sac State,” says FYEF President Joni Pitcl. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the youth to see a college campus, strut their stuff and work together to build their self confidence.”
Tickets can be purchased at the event for $25 per adult and $15 for students and children five and older.
For more information on the fashion show, contact the Foster Youth Education Fund at 335-5485 or e-mail fyef@comcast.net. For additional information contact Ann Richardson at 453-1771.
About the writers:
Sacramento State’s Carolyn Filomeo and Gloria Moraga can be reached at 278-6156.
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