Foster Youth Futures

Less than fifty percent of youth in foster care graduate high school. Less than ten percent enroll in college, and less than three percent of that ten percent graduate college.

While there is no single solution to solve the multi-faceted problems that contribute to poor educational outcomes for youth in foster care, programs such as First Star Academy and Impact Scholars are avenues for making a difference in individual lives.

During Saturday and Summer Academies, First Star scholars fill in academic knowledge gaps, prepare for the ACT, practice budgeting and learn conflict resolution, among other skills. Through long-term mentorships with staff and long-term relationships with peers, First Star scholars access the needed stability of adult and peer relationships even as they may continue to change families and schools.

Once these students reach college, Impact Scholars provides college access services to Utah's foster care community by addressing barriers often preventing college enrollment and degree completion. Impact Scholars serves anyone in Utah with experience in state custody who is older than sixteen.