The start to the school year can bring anxious moments even to the most prepared students. But Kizzy Lopez helps out those students who arrive on campus who have little support.
"I share my experiences in hopes they gain wisdom. Use it as motivation to keep going."
These meetings with students are just a small part of Renaissance Scholars. A program based at Fresno State. It's just one of many partners of the Granville Home of Hope. It's about lifting up students who are aging out of foster care. Senior Megan Lindsey didn't think college was an option coming from her background.
"Real family wasn't encouraged. Just didn't have encouragement there."
But thankfully for her she says she had a foster mother who did encourage her. Kizzy sees and hears these stories of heartbreak often. A former foster child who had to do it all on her own.
"College is set up to serve traditional college students with traditional mom and dad."
Renaissance Scholars helps students financially, emotionally. They help build life skills like budgeting. Coreen Aguilar just graduated, but something keeps bringing her back.
"We definitely have a family feel I'm still involved as much as I can be."
Aguilar now works for a nonprofit. It's community based work serving people with disabilities. But this program laid the foundation for that work.
"It really feeds my passion in terms of serving marginalized populations."
Some of the people we noticed in this program are focusing on social work. Giving back in some way. Helping people who are less fortunate. Kaitlyn Dadian is brand new to the campus. She's a psychology major focusing on communicative disorders. She's proof aging out of the system doesn't mean stopping the fight.
"Those scary times when someone tells me...I can and I will."
You can buy a ticket for the Granville Home of Hope drawing by calling 440-8388, or you can buy them at Gb3 locations, Central Distributing, or the Granville Home offices. The giveaway takes place Saturday, September 29th.
TXT 24
Twitter
Facebook