Youth Opportunities

OFA SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY— The Orphan Foundation of America (OFA) is now accepting applications for scholarships for the 2009-2010 academic year. Scholarships are available to eligible former foster youth who are pursuing postsecondary education. To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria: Have been in foster care for one consecutive year at the time of their 18th birthday or high school graduation OR have been adopted or taken into legal guardianship out of foster care after their 16th birthday OR have lost both parents to death before age 18 and not been subsequently adopted; Be accepted into or enrolled in an accredited postsecondary program (university, college, community college, or vocational/technical institute); Be under age 25 on March 31, 2009.

BECOME A FOSTERCLUB ALLSTAR— The FosterClub is recruiting current and former foster youth (ages 18 to 24) for its summer leadership and internship program, FosterClub All Stars. Youth will be selected to spend the summer traveling, making presentations, and helping other children and youth in foster care. Applications are due March 1, 2009.

For links to more information, visit:
http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?event=website.viewArticles&issueid=102&articleid=2527

2009 OHIO YAB Officers

While many youth expressed an interest in providing leadership to the O.H.I.O. Youth Advisory Board, six youth were selected to serve in the following leadership roles.


PRESIDENT:
Alex McFarland of Montgomery County

VICE-PRESIDENT:
Derek Biggers of Sandusky County

SECRETARY:
Marcella Stewart of Franklin County

TREASURER:
Traci Justice of Athens County

MEDIA SPOKESMAN:
Lamar Hammons of Franklin County

PARLIAMENTARIAN:
Elizabeth Bowers of Athens County

Please join me in congratulating them.

Don't forget tomorrow's meeting: Elections!

O.H.I.O. Youth Advisory Board Statewide Meeting

DATE: February 19, 2009
TIME: 11-2 PM
LOCATION: FCCS, Regional Training Center
855 W. Mound Street
Columbus, Ohio 432223

MORE: For more information, please contact Brandi or Arlene at 614-224-5802.

FosterClub All-Stars Accepting Applications

Each year, 12 young people are selected through a competitive national application process to serve as FosterClub All-Stars. They travel the country motivating and informing their peers, provide child welfare professionals with the perspective from youth, and raise public awareness. The deadline for submission for the application is quickly approaching, March 1, 2009. If you want more details, go to their website: www.fosterclub.com/allstars.

KOHL’S KIDS WHO CARE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The Kohl’s Kids Who Care® Scholarship Program recognizes and rewards young volunteers (ages 6-18) who help make their communities a better place. Applicants must meet the following criteria: The young person’s actions must be described in detail and should document efforts that are above and beyond what is normally expected of a child his or her age. Volunteer efforts should have made a positive impact on others and occurred in the last 12 months. The activity cannot be performed solely to benefit a family member. Applicants must not have graduated high school as of March 15, 2008.
Winners are selected based on the project chosen, the benefits of the project and the actual outcome of the project. KOHL’s will accept nominations from Feb.1-March 15, 2009. The awards range from a $50.00 gift card to a $5,000 scholarship. For more details, go to the website at www.kohlskids.com.

COHHIO YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS

The Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio’s Youth Empowerment Program has partnered with Direct Energy to offer leadership awards to recognize youth in Ohio who have experienced homelessness/housing crisis and are trying to better their situations. There will be four (4) leadership awards given each in the amount of $500. Awards will be presented to the winners at the COHHIO conference April 20th and 21st.

Any youth or young adult, in or out of school, (11 to 22) in Ohio who has experienced homelessness or housing crisis, including youth who have lived in shelters, doubled up, independently homeless, or who have lived in other types of transitional or temporary situations are eligible to apply.

The leader award can be used for expenses associated with any leader opportunity identified by the applicant. This may include, but not limited to: Class trips, summer camp, sports, music, art or dance programs and supplies, college fees, GED classes, tutoring, school tuition, extracurricular activities, graduation fees, college visits, test fees and prep courses, summer classes, or anything that will contribute to the personal and leadership development of the youth.

To obtain an application, contact Angela Lariviere or Nick Bates at 614-280-1984. Applications are due March 17, 2009.

O.H.I.O. Youth Advisory Board Statewide Meeting Rescheduled

Unfortunately, due to inclement weather, the statewide meeting scheduled for January 15th, 2009 had to be cancelled. The next OHIO Youth Advisory Board statewide meeting will be held on February 19th, 2009 from 11:00am to 2:00pm at FCCS Regional Training Center, 855 W. Mound Street, Columbus, OH. At this meeting, elections will be held and several opportunities for youth involvement will be discussed. Please mark your calendars and save the date!

Help Make OHIO YAB Great in 2009! If you are interested in becoming an OHIO YAB member or an OHIO YAB Adult Supporter contact Arlene Jones at Arlene@pcsao.org or
614) 224-5802.