Organization: ORPHAN FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
Mission: THE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC AND CAREER SUPPORT AND FUNDING TO YOUTH WHO WERE ORPHANED OR IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM SO THEY CAN ENTER THE WORKFORCE AND BECOME PRODUCTIVE, SELF-SUFFICIENT ADULTS.
Activities: EDUCATION AND TRAINING VOUCHERS - ADMINISTERING STATE GRANTS, TUITION WAIVERS AND OTHER FUNDS TO 3797 STUDENTS ATTENDING 2,291 POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS (TRAINING PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES). THE PROGRAM IS NATIONAL; HOWEVER, FOCUS IS ON THE EIGHT STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, COLORADO, MARYLAND, MISSOURI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW YORK AND OHIO. STUDENTS RECEIVE PERSONALIZED COACHING AND ENCOURAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND CARE PACKAGES.
CARE PACKAGES - SECURING ITEMS, PACKING AND MAILING 3400 + BOXES EACH ACADEMIC YEAR AND WORKING WITH BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO SEND CARE PACKAGES TO FC2S STUDENTS. THESE BOXES ARE A TANGIBLE DEMONSTRATION OF THE CARE AND CONCERN FELT BY PEOPLE NATIONWIDE TOWARDS YOUNG PEOPLE IN FOSTER CARE; EACH BOX CONTAINS ITEMS BOTH NECESSARY TO AND DESIRED BY COLLEGE STUDENTS, ALONG WITH PERSONAL CARDS AND NOTES FROM VOLUNTEERS. ANNUALLY FOR VALENTINE'S DAY, EACH STUDENT GETS A HAND-CRAFTED RED SCARF WHICH BECOMES, FOR MANY, A TREASURED KEEPSAKE.
SCHOLARSHIPS - ADMINISTERING SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS AND PROVIDING INTENSIVE INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT THAT FOCUSES ON COGNITIVE COACHING TO ADDRESS THE ACADEMIC, CAREER, PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL CONCERNS OF 158 FOSTER YOUTH ATTENDING POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS NATIONWIDE. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED BASED ON A COMBINATION OF MERIT AND NEED.
NTEE category: Education
Secondary category: Food, Agriculture & Nutrition