“UNSTOPPABLE AWARDS” SCHOLARSHIP CELEBRATION WILL HONOR 10 FOSTER YOUTH ON SATURDAY, JUNE 11
SAN BERNARDINO, CA, May 26, 2015 – For the first time 43 foster youth applied for the 2016 Unstoppable Awards from local high school. Three foster youth will be honored at the “2016 Unstoppable Awards,” a ceremony to celebrate the achievements of these students, who have beaten considerable odds to graduate from high school while being in foster care. Each student will receive an “Unstoppable” scholarship in the amount of $500-$3400 to cover tuition and other costs for college or trade school.
According to the California Department of Education, out of nearly 60,000 children in foster care statewide, only about 50% graduate from high school, out of which 10% attend college or technical school, and 3% finish. The “Unstoppable Awards” are aimed at youth with average GPAs of 2.3 – 3.2, in recognition of the significant obstacles that impact many transition-age foster youth – chief among them, multiple home and school placements, and the resulting disruption in their lives.
The creator of the “Unstoppable Awards” is Dr. Anissa McNeil, an education consultant and a former foster youth. “After being homeless with my mother, I was raised by my grandmother, who is my inspiration to try to help make a difference in these kids’ lives,” said Dr. McNeil. “This year, we will provide scholarships to ten foster youth who have overcome challenges and have a can-do attitude about life and learning. In the years to come, I’d like to build the momentum via increased community awareness, so we can honor the achievements of increasing numbers of graduating foster youth.”
A panel including educators and child welfare advocates will review the entries, and winners will be informed on May 21, 2016. This year we will also honor Jude D. Zeke Zeidler with the Foster Youth Service Award and Retired Referee Sherri Sobel with the Trailblazer Award for leading the effort to develop education services for foster youth in Edelman’s Children’s Court.
The “Unstoppable Awards” ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 11th at the Brookside County Club in Pasadena, CA.
For more information, please contact: Dr. Anissa McNeil, at 213-634-0044, www.edworks4u.org
Press contact: Shanta Ferguson-Boston 310-936-2610, sfergusonboston@gmail.com