United Friends Scholars Program

County of Los Angeles

Expand existing program

Los Angeles County is home to the largest population of foster youth in the country with nearly 30,000 youth in care. Often without supports and stable a home life, too many foster youth confront far too many obstacles to their success in life. The mental and emotional challenges, lack of stability and attachments, and sadly, the violence and abuse often experienced by young people in the system translate into disproportionately high rates of homelessness, incarceration, poor academic achievement, unemployment, and a reliance on public assistance. Youth in foster care experience particular challenges related to obtaining an education. In academic year 2018/19, only 57.3% of LA County foster youth graduated high school compared to 84.2% overall. This represents a significant achievement gap, especially when compared against graduation rates for other vulnerable subgroups – socioeconomically disadvantaged (82.6%), migrant youth (89.1%), and homeless youth (75.5%).

United Friends has been providing educational support services to Los Angeles County’s foster youth since 2003. The experience and success of youth in our programs (+90% graduation rate, 80% college matriculation rate), makes us uniquely qualified to expand services into the Antelope Valley. To deliver these services, we hire and train college-focused counselors with professional backgrounds in college counseling and/or the social services field, providing a unique and effective blend of expertise. United Friends also utilizes the evidence-based practices Motivational Interviewing and Positive Youth Development Strategies to work in tandem with academic improvement and college preparation. Finally, COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the educational systems further exacerbating the need for Scholars Program counselors to provide one-on-one educational case management and oversight to ensure youth in foster care receive the individual attention necessary in such an isolating situation.

The broader impact is observed in the foster and biological families as well. Counselors are a frequent presence in the home, building relationships with caregivers who become a primary referral source for the program. Additionally, an annual conference draws hundreds of foster youth, caregivers, social workers, and group home staff providing college readiness workshops and motivation to key stakeholders throughout the county. In response to COVID-19, families are provided technology to ensure digital touchpoints are accessible in lieu of face-to-face contact. Finally, as youth transition from college and into careers, they begin to provide the much-needed stability as pillars of support to their own communities and family units.