Friends of the Guardian Scholars

The Friends of the Guardian Scholars Program allows volunteers and community members to support Guardian Scholars by being an ally, mentor, professional partner, or providing financial support.

If you are interested in being a Friend of the Guardian Scholars Program, fill out this interest form!

Be an Ally

Individual university staff, faculty, and students or programs and departments can request to attend an Foster Youth Ally Training throughout the academic year.  The Foster Youth Ally Training is intended to promote an inclusive and welcoming space for students, staff, and faculty who have experienced one or more days in foster care. The training will help to reduce stereotype threats, imposter syndrome and bring awareness about the foster care community and resources to support current/former foster youth attending UC Davis. 

Role of Ally

  • Promote access and opportunities for student growth and positive experiences
  • Provide a trauma-informed approach to advising and teaching
  • Advocate for access and opportunities for our students to succeed
  • Willingness to listen and learn from our students and their experiences

 

Be a Mentor

A mentor for the Guardian Scholars Program is a volunteer from the UC Davis community, mostly comprised of staff and faculty, that provide our foster youth/former foster youth students with support, counsel, friendship, and advocacy to help our Guardian Scholars succeed.

Role of Mentor

  • Advice: Provide information, perspectives, and counsel
  • Friend:  Listens, supports growth of student, cheerleader
  • Coach: Provide support, encouragement, and guidance
  • Advocate: Provide access to resources, endorsement, and feelings of security

Mentor Expectations:

  • One academic year commitment
  • Minimum of 2-3 contacts per month* (one must be an in-person meetup)
  • Participate in the Guardian Scholars mentor training program
  • Participate in Guardian Scholars Mentor Program activities when available
  • Report monthly on the progress of your mentorship

*Mentors and students are encouraged to connect more often or as needed for the student to succeed.

Mentors and students are welcomed to extend their mentorship after their one-year commitment to continue their friendship, collaboration, and pursuit of the student's goals.

Be a Professional Partner

Networking with professionals is one of the most effective strategies for helping students create goals and prepare for careers and personal development. Professional partners provide first-hand knowledge that enables Guardian Scholars to be informed and develop personal and professional skills.

Role of Professional Partner

  • Be available for informational interviews about jobs and careers
  • Provide job shadowing opportunities
  • Bring awareness and education to personal and life skills (i.e. financial planning, relationship-building, etc.)
  • Be career/job liaisons for internships and jobs
  • Participate in career meet and greet panels or discussions
  • Participate in personal and life skill development workshops, activities

Give to the Guardian Scholars Program

Scholarships/Grants

Foster youth/former foster youth often face insurmountable challenges to higher education without financial support. Many students in the Guardian Scholars Program are considered "independent" for financial aid purposes and/or lack outside financial assistance.  Areas of financial opportunities include but are not limited to: tuition assistance, housing support, book grants, and graduation cap & gowns.

Program Support

The Guardian Scholars Program relies on grants and the generosity of donors to continue offering comprehensive and holistic support to foster youth/former foster youth.  Every gift reinforces the importance of providing the necessary services, resources, and staff to maximize student success.

Make a gift to the Guardian Scholars Program

Be a Community Partner

Community partners are external collaborations developed to provide support to our students and to the program.  These collaborations often result in scholarships and grant, program growth and support, and advocacy.