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• The most frequent types of services received are: Obtaining food, groceries and <br />personal hygiene items (30% of youth), using the computer (25%), picking up <br />mail (5%), using the phone or fax machine (4%), and doing laundry (3%). <br />Scholarships & Financial Assistance <br />Our Children's Trust Fund provides financial, educational and emergency assistance to <br />current and former foster youth, with an emphasis on those who are pursuing higher <br />education after emancipation (release from the dependency system at age 18). <br />• Over $917,000 was provided in scholarships to 322 young adults for college or <br />trade school. These students attended 74 schools in 14 states throughout the U.S. <br />• Had 52 scholarship students successfully graduate from higher education <br />programs. <br />• Awarded another $200,000 in other grants to over 700 children & young adults <br />seeking assistance including funding for summer camps, school sports & other <br />extracurricular activities. <br />Guardian Scholars Program <br />Guardian Scholars is a nationally recognized program that partners with local educational <br />institutions to provide comprehensive on-campus support and resources to former foster <br />youth in their efforts to gain a university, community college or trade school education. <br />• Partner schools in greater Orange County area now total 17 and include CSUF, <br />UCI, Orange Coast College, Hope International Univ., Chapman Univ., American <br />Career College, Fullerton Community College, Concordia Univ., Taller San Jose, <br />USC, UCLA, Santa Ana College, Cypress College, Santiago Canyon College, <br />Irvine Valley College, Golden West College and Saddleback College. <br />Rising Tide Communities/Housing <br />Rising Tide offers motivated, former foster youth affordable, quality housing in two <br />apartment complexes and a supportive, goal-directed community for successful transition <br />into adulthood. <br />• Provided transitional housing throughout the year to a total of 42 former foster <br />youth, including 7 mothers (and their 8 children). Length of stay averaged 305 <br />days. <br />• Among the youth residents, 29 were enrolled in higher education and 3 were <br />Orangewood Peer Mentors. <br />• With the program's focus on financial responsibility/literacy, 25 youth increased <br />their savings, <br />1 made progress in reducing his debt and 22 paid their rent on time 100% of the <br />time. <br />Peer Mentor Program <br />Peer Mentors are former foster youth who choose to give back to Orangewood and youth <br />still in the foster care system. They are an active part of our Orangewood Resource <br />Center and Independent Living Program and hold sessions with the teens at the <br />Orangewood Children's Home. <br />• Developed leadership skills for 25 Peer Mentors through training sessions and an <br />off-site retreat. <br />OCF/Foster Youth Liaison Project PY 10/11 13 <br />EXHIBIT A