photo by steed media service

Student, City College of San Francisco, Guardian Scholar

Each year, thousands of young adults are left homeless after they age out of the foster care system. As a result, many foster kids forgo college in order to earn enough money to support themselves. The Guardian Scholars, which was established in 1997, provides support for students who are exiting the foster care system. As a student at City College of San Francisco, Aviana Danekas understands the importance of being a member of the Guardian Scholars.

“It is difficult for foster care students who have to transition into college,” Danekas says. “I worked full time for one year after I graduated from high school. At that time, college was not an option because I didn’t know what I wanted to do career-wise, and I needed to make a living.”

Danekas eventually became a member of the Guardian Scholars and enrolled at City College of San Francisco. “The main reason why foster students don’t go to college is because they don’t have a place to live,” she says. “The Guardian Scholars provide the assistance that we need. We also have an independent living skills class and we have mentors who help us.”

Guardian Scholars’ support of Danekas and other foster care kids has helped instill hope in those who have had to deal with the trials and tribulations of being in foster care. “We’re in foster care because we don’t have a stable family life,” Danekas says. “My extended family helped me out and allowed me to get on track and encouraged me to go back to school. Foster care isn’t an easy journey. We just want people to treat us like everyone else.” –amir shaw  

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