Scholarship Awards 2016 |
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Back row: Mark Acosta from Fostering the Future, Joan Gendreau from CSA
Front Row: Brendan Acosta, Leeann Mesa, CSA Scholarship Chairperson, and scholarship recipients: Daniella Arroyo, Sonia Martinez, Alyza Nava, Ashlee Rangel, Dominique Tucker (not pictured: Claudia Cortez
The Children's Services Auxiliary and Fostering the Future recently presented the 2016 scholarship awards to six fantastic Foster Youth.
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The recipients are pursuing a variety of goals including theology, teaching, psychology, sports, and medicine. Scholarships are for court dependent students that have graduated from high school or GED equivalent, who are applying to or attending at least one of the following: vocational/trade school, community college, 4 year college and/or applying to the military. The scholarship amounts ranged from $300 to $6,275. A total of $11,175 was awarded this year thanks to generous donations by CSA and Fostering the Future supporters. If you would like to donate and support next year's scholarships, visit our Scholarship page or contact us via email.
Applicants for the scholarship filled out an application and wrote an essay on one of the following topics: current life circumstance, experience in foster care, need for financial assistance, barriers or obstacles they overcame, goals and plans for the future, community outreach and what it means to them.
There are currently two scholarship programs available through CSA: the Joan Gendreau Scholarship and another through Fostering the Future. In 2013, CSA celebrated its 30 year anniversary. The CSA board members wanted to recognize founding member, Joan Gendreau, for her continuous support of Foster children by creating a scholarship program in her name. The Fostering the Future scholarship program is in its inaugural year and is funded by private parties and local businesses in honor of Brendan Acosta, a former Foster Youth that wants to help other kids pursue their educational goals.
As the Fostering the Future team said on their Facebook post,
"Our scholarship recipients have overcome some of life's greatest challenges, courageously reached out, and committed to pursue a future of further education and athletics. We commemorated these actions at our first annual Scholarship Recipients Dinner, where we met and got to know each of our recipients and their mentors, and proudly presented them with their awards. We are delighted to announce that, along with the Children's Services Auxiliary, we have awarded a total of six scholarships in our inaugural year. We are excited to see where their passion and intelligence leads them, and hope to grow as a foundation to reach more and more children throughout Ventura County each year."
Applicants for the scholarship filled out an application and wrote an essay on one of the following topics: current life circumstance, experience in foster care, need for financial assistance, barriers or obstacles they overcame, goals and plans for the future, community outreach and what it means to them.
There are currently two scholarship programs available through CSA: the Joan Gendreau Scholarship and another through Fostering the Future. In 2013, CSA celebrated its 30 year anniversary. The CSA board members wanted to recognize founding member, Joan Gendreau, for her continuous support of Foster children by creating a scholarship program in her name. The Fostering the Future scholarship program is in its inaugural year and is funded by private parties and local businesses in honor of Brendan Acosta, a former Foster Youth that wants to help other kids pursue their educational goals.
As the Fostering the Future team said on their Facebook post,
"Our scholarship recipients have overcome some of life's greatest challenges, courageously reached out, and committed to pursue a future of further education and athletics. We commemorated these actions at our first annual Scholarship Recipients Dinner, where we met and got to know each of our recipients and their mentors, and proudly presented them with their awards. We are delighted to announce that, along with the Children's Services Auxiliary, we have awarded a total of six scholarships in our inaugural year. We are excited to see where their passion and intelligence leads them, and hope to grow as a foundation to reach more and more children throughout Ventura County each year."
2015 Overview of Services
In 2015, Children’s Services Auxiliary (CSA) reimbursed Foster families for 641 requests. This included:
Participation in these types of activities is critical to becoming well-adjusted and productive members of society; helping the kids build self esteem and a sense of belonging. The Children Services Auxiliary board and members feel that every child that we help increases the productivity of the community and reduces the amount of assistance needed for the future years.
- 13 requests for clothing
- 13 requests for medical related expenses that weren’t covered by other programs, including Anesthesia, sealants, contacts, glasses, inhaler, and prescriptions
- A weighted blanket for a special needs child
- 98 requests for sports activities including registration fees & equipment for baseball, basketball, track, football, soccer, softball and swimming
- 164 reimbursements funded for ballet, tap, Jiu Jitsu, gymnastics, karate, gym memberships, dance, art, Taekwondo, ice skating, yoga, snowboarding, Gymboree & music
- 4 requests funded for chorus, band, outdoor school, & field trips
- 86 requests funded for camperships: Zoo camp, music camp, painting camp, church camps, marine biology camp, ice skating camp, & dance camp
- 246 Independent Living Program requests were processed for funding including: Passports, ID's, housing, furniture, senior ball dress, year books, caps & gowns, year books, class rings, graduation incentives, driving lessons, prom tickets, and text books
- Provided 16 computers
- CSA also hosted our annual Foster Family Picnic, Holiday Party, and invited families to 'shop' for 945 Foster kids at our Holiday toy Store.
Participation in these types of activities is critical to becoming well-adjusted and productive members of society; helping the kids build self esteem and a sense of belonging. The Children Services Auxiliary board and members feel that every child that we help increases the productivity of the community and reduces the amount of assistance needed for the future years.
CSA Would Love to Hear Your Story
Are you a Children's Services Auxiliary client, Foster Parent, donor, or volunteer? CSA is collecting testimonials so more people will understand the importance of what we do in the community. If you would like to share your story about the impact the Children's Services Auxiliary has had on your life, please visit our Testimonials Submission page.
Our Mission
The Children’s Services Auxiliary (CSA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1983, is a volunteer run organization whose mission is to meet the needs of Ventura County’s court-dependent children. These children have been displaced from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The Auxiliary also serves youth who have recently transitioned from the foster care system. The CSA Board of Directors work closely with Ventura County Children and Family Services to identify the needs of the court-dependent children and transitioning youth.
Make a Donation
The Children's Services Auxiliary is a non-profit public organization - Tax Exempt # 77-0054936. All funds donated go directly to assisting court dependent kids.
