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First Star 2019 Summer Highlights
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The 2019 Summer Academy sessions were filled with hard-work and a whole lot of fun. There were camping trips, college tours, museum visits, podcast recording sessions, trips to the State Capitol, talent shows, and movie nights. On top of all that excitement, our scholars tirelessly prepared for their SATs, caught up on course credits, learned new language, math and science skills, and prepared for the school year ahead. Some of our Academies were celebrating their cohort's first summer, while others were commemorating their final summer together before heading into senior year. Above all, this year's Summer Academies were an opportunity for every scholar to learn more about themselves and make life-long connections to their First Star Family. We're so proud of each and everyone of them!
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First Star CUNY Staten Island Academy
College Tour 2019
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Since our First Star CUNY Staten Island scholars are entering their junior & senior years this fall, they embarked on a week-long HBCU STEM college tour from Pennsylvania all the way to North Carolina. The AT&T Foundation sponsored-trip included tours of Cheyney University, Lincoln University, Delaware State University, Morgan State University, Howard University, North Carolina Central University and Duke University. While in DC, our scholars were able to take a trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. It was an enriching week of touring, learning and sharing and an opportunity for scholars to see the limitless possibilities that are in store for them!
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First Star University of Utah Academy
Visit to the State Capitol
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Our University of Utah scholars spent the day in the heart of Salt Lake City, advocating for issues they care about at the State Capitol. As future leaders and foster care advocates, the scholars were able to sit down with Utah State Senator Jerry Stevenson to ask questions and share their own insights on the foster care system. Go Utah Academy!
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First Star Scholars In the News
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First Star UCLA Bruin Guardian Scholars Academy on the Fox11 News podcast Olympic & Bundy
First Star's President Peter Samuelson and Executive Director Robin Winston, along with students and staff from our UCLA Academy, sat down with Fox11 News' Christine Devine for her podcast Olympic & Bundy. They discussed the importance of First Star's Academy program in helping foster youth transition from high school into higher education, as well as a few scholar success stories.
Part One of their discussion can be found here and Part Two here.
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Congresswoman Donna Shala spoke with our First Star University of Miami Scholars
Florida Congresswoman and former University of Miami president Donna E. Shalala made a visit to speak with our UM scholars this summer. To prepare, the scholars researched Congresswoman Shalala's background, talked about issues that mattered to them, and prepared questions to ask. Shalala outlined a path to success, giving them helpful advice and inspiration on how to navigate the path to higher education and adulthood.
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First Star 2019 Honoree Spotlight:
Devin Alexander
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As one of the First Star Celebration Honorees, Devin Alexander has been a huge supporter of our UCLA Academy. This summer the New York Times Bestselling Author and Celebrity Chef spent an afternoon with our scholars, teaching them how to cook delicious and healthy meals. Plans are underway to develop her expertise into a curriculum that all our First Star scholars can enjoy. Devin has also recently adopted a baby girl through DCFS and now lends her talents to passionately advocate for children currently in the system. For inspirational tips, guilt-free recipes, free cooking videos, and so much more, visit Devin at: www.devinalexander.com.
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Join Us on Septemeber 22nd!!
First Star's 20th Annual Celebration is Just Around the Corner!
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National
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a new initiative to provide housing assistance for youth aging out of foster care and are at extreme risk of experiencing homelessness. The Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative will offer housing vouchers to local public housing authorities to prevent homelessness amongst foster youth under the age of 25, who have nowhere to go when leaving the system.
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New York
Guy Bryant has fostered more than 50 young men over the last 12 years. He’s also worked as a community coordinator at NYC’s Administration for Children’s Services for 32 years, providing services for 18- to 21-year-olds who have recently aged out of foster care. The program, called Supervision to 21, locates these youth and provides services such as housing, employment and access to mental and physical health care.
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Oklahoma
The First Lady of Oklahoma, Sarah Stitt, is raising awareness for the hardships that foster families face as they send their kids back to school. Her 'Back to School Night' initiative will include free haircuts, school supplies, and provide foster parents with resources and support. She hopes to show foster families across the state just how much their communities support them.
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There's no better time to make a gift to First Star!
Help make sure our scholars are ready for success this year!
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Stay connected to see what all our First Star Academy scholars will be getting up to this school year!
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