Funding
Fostering Laker Success Funds
There are many different ways to fiscally support the Fostering Laker Success program. Read more about the many ways to support our students and our program.
John & Cindy Fostering Success Endowed Fund
This fund was created by John and Cindy Shinsky, two former GVSU faculty who have a passion for supporting students who experienced foster care prior to attending higher education.
John Shinsky has served as an educator for 40 years; he came to Grand Valley as an associate professor of education in 2001. He served as a special education teacher, director of Special Education, and area administrator for Lansing Public Schools. Shinsky has received many awards for his educational contributions, including Grand Valley’s University Community Service Award and its Glen A. Niemeyer Academic Award. Shinsky has also received the Cesar E. Chavez Humanitarian Award, Dick Letts Community Service Award and the Paul Harris Fellow for International Service from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
As a former orphan, Shinsky has committed his life to serving the needs of abandoned children. He and his wife were so kind to establish an endowment fund to support foster care youth attending Grand Valley. This fund provides support for student tuition and other educational expenses.
Fostering Laker Success Scholarship
Help close the academic and housing gap for foster care youth under the Fostering Laker Success Scholarship Fund
- $1,500 - $3,500 - Closes tuition gap for one student
- $1,500 - $3,500 - Pays for summer housing for one student
- $150 - $300 - Covers the cost of 1 textbook
“I had no idea how I was going to pay for my books or pay for summer/spring housing, until I talked with my mentor Brandy Thompson from Foster Laker Success. This scholarship was a breath of fresh air. It helped me be able to focus on school and not money.”
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Fostering Laker Success Fund
The Fostering Laker Success Fund allows us to provide assistance with:
- Rent Assistance
- Automobile repair
- Health Care Cost
- Personal Care Items
- Food
- Bedding
- Graduation Cap and Gowns
- Group Activities
Other Ways to Support FLS
Throughout the year we support our student needs. During move-in we provide each of our students with a welcome basket. During the holidays we make sure each of our students receives a holiday care package. We participate in Christmas in July as well as Giving Tuesday. We are always in need of general care items to make certain our students have what they need to feel at home. Please consider donating the below items or giving directly to our Amazon Wishlist.
- Winter: Hats, scarves, gloves (blue, gray, black Unisex) and socks ( black, gray, white)
- Toiletries: Chapstick, Travel lotions, Travel tissue packs, Travel hand sanitizer, Handwarmer, Toothpaste (Sensitive and Regular), Toothbrush, Bar Body Soap (Ivory and Dove Sensitive)
- Gift cards: $25 Gift Cards (Target or Meijer or Walmart )
- Treats: Hot Coco, Tea, Candy Canes, Chocolates, Gummies, Popcorn, Chips, Cookies
- Card Game: Uno, Deck of playing Card, Phase 10
