Putting college in reach for Michigan foster children

Putting college in reach for Michigan foster children | Bridge Michigan
But she’s succeeding at Western, thanks to perhaps the most comprehensive program to support foster children in college in the nation.
She expects to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work and ultimately get a PhD.
The Seita program has helped Jenks adjust to college, and after a slow start, shift her focus from social to academic and boost her grades and develop relationships with her professors.
“My campus coach is super supportive and helpful,” Jenks said during her winter break.
“I can’t even imagine going to college without her or somebody to talk to.”
Jenks is one of Western’s Seita Scholars, students removed from their family homes because of abuse or neglect and now getting financial, academic and social support to give them the opportunity to succeed in college and launch successful careers.
In five years, the program grew the germ of an idea during a ride home from a conference to one of Western’s crown jewels, a signature program serving 160 students from 35 counties across the state.