Welcome to Fostering Laker Success!
Fostering Laker Success is a campus-based program that works with youth who have experienced foster care and other out of home placements. We are housed in the Office of Student Support and Belonging in the Division of Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach.
Our mission is student success! Program participants will have access to key resources that can help students succeed in their personal, academic, and professional lives. Participants will also gain a community of supportive staff and mentors to assist them in reaching their goals.
Program Eligibility:
- Participant has been in an eligible foster care or non-secure delinquency placement supervised by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) at age 14 or older.
- Participant is younger than 23.
- Participant has experienced out-of-home placement/homeless youth.
Fostering Laker Success Program Information
Become a Faculty/Staff Mentor
Becoming a mentor to program participants is a great way to get involved with Fostering Laker Success. Mentoring is proven to produce positive outcomes for both the mentors and mentee. As a mentor, you will serve as a campus connector, helping students navigate campus, access certain resources, and most importantly, you will serve as supportive adult for students on GVSU’s Campus.
Prior to becoming a mentor, you will receive specialized training that will help you better understand working with youth who have experienced foster care. The state of Michigan also has some wonderful resources for mentors who work with youth that have experienced foster care.
Requirements of a FLS Mentor include:
- Meet one-on-one with students enrolled in the program 4 hours a month minimum.
- Complete 8 hours of specialized training.
- Be willing to submit to background check.
- Sign a confidentiality agreement.
- Complete electronic interaction reports.
Interested applicants can contact the Program Coordinator, Brandy Thompson, via email ([email protected]) or phone (616-331-8864).
Participant Program Eligibility
To be eligible for Fostering Laker Success, you must:
- Be accepted to Grand Valley State University
- Have experienced foster care after the age of 14 and are currently younger than 23.
- Agree to actively participant in program activities.
Fostering Laker Success works in partnership with the student participants. We develop goals and outline the steps to achieve those goals. Participants are required to:
- Meet with their coach once a week
- Attend one FLS event per month
- Meet with their mentor four times per month
For additional questions please contact Brandy Thompson, M.A, Independent Living Skills Coach for Fostering Laker Success; [email protected] or 616-331-8864.
Donate
Please consider supporting our program through making a tax deductible donation online Fostering Laker Success Fund. If you are interested in planned giving, please contact University Development (616) 331-6000 or use the donation box below.
