Educational Mentoring Program
The Educational Mentoring Program (EMP) helps students from the foster care system achieve their goal of completing college. Many of these students drop out of college because they don’t feel comfortable in their environment, not because they’re intellectually unable to do the work. The EMP focuses on students who possess the strength of character and intellectual tools to break the cycle of poverty, drugs and despair, but are often lost to society due to lack of appropriate support. In cooperation with partner agencies, this program provides vital support to enable these students to become college graduates and contributors to society.
Mentor
Absolutely vital to EMP! Each student is paired with an adult who volunteers to establish and maintain a consistent, caring relationship with the student and remain with that student for up to 5 years, as long as the student remains in college. The mentor helps the student to understand the college environment, offers emotional support, and provides guidance on school and personal issues as well as spending decisions. The mentor works closely with OHFF and our partner agencies.
Computer
OHFF provides computers and relevant software to ensure the student can succeed at college
Clothes
OHFF provides grants for clothes to help the student fit in. Many of these students have their clothes provided by foster care agencies
Cell Phone and Cell Phone plan
Students need to be able to communicate with each other to form study groups and stay in touch
Transportation
Subway passes and bus passes are provided to the students so they can easily get to school
Textbooks
The cost of many textbooks exceeds the spending allowance from governmental agenciesSchool Supplies
OHFF provides funds for specific computer programs, which are necessary for the student’s major area of study
Counseling
OHFF provides funds to help pay for more intense and consistent counseling than is offered through the college health services
