While in Kansas City, The Alex Smith Foundation partnered with Cornerstones of Care. Their Y.E.S. (Youth Educational Success) Program offers similar support for former foster youths in pursuit of higher education.
The 2009 Missouri Blue Ribbon Task Force on Foster Youth Aging Out reported that foster youths face the following barriers to attending college: lack of financial resources, lack of emotional support from caring adults, and lack of social opportunity. The YES! Program was developed to address these barriers and increase the number of foster youths who attend and graduate from college.
For more information regarding Cornerstones of Care visit their website, www.cornerstonesofcare.org
Y.E.S. visits Minsky’s
In 2016 and 2017, foster youth from Cornerstones of Care’s YES program were treated to a night of celebration at Minsky’s with Alex & Liz Smith including pizza & gifts!
The Alex Smith Foundation works closely with Cornerstones to help fosters transitioning out of the system get a great start as an independent young adult.
Read more about the services that Cornerstones of Care provides through their Y.E.S. program by clicking here.
Beating the Odds Summit
Recently The Alex Smith Foundation had to the opportunity to join First Lady Michelle Obama along with two students at the White House for the Reach Higher “Beating the Odds” Summit.
All of the 140 college bound students that were in attendance have overcome a wide range of hardships and Beat the Odds by being accepted and having plans to attend college in the fall.
The Summit celebrated all of the students’ accomplishments up to this point and provided them with valuable tips and resources to better prepare them for their next challenge, attending college. The Alex Smith Foundation was extremely proud to be in attendance and sponsor two former foster youths as well as become an overall sponsor for the event.
One student that was in attendance, Briana Payne said:
“Beating the odds was very exciting, giving way to information about college from a different perspective. The knowledge I gained will stick with me throughout my college experience.”
A video of the event can be found by Clicking Here.
A transcript of the event can be found by Clicking Here.
