Career and college fair for the foster youth of the Imperial Valley

Statistics say only two percent of foster children graduate from college or receive a certificate. Today, the Imperial Valley ROP and Social Services, are trying to change those odds.

We spoke with the program manager, Luis Torres, who said “we’re doing a career and college conference for local youths. And we have motivational speakers and different presenters from different careers who are also former foster youths who are here to motivate local youths to go to college or pursue their career. And to achieve something once they grow up.”

The program believes if these foster youths can see that someone who was just like them, achieve their dreams, so can they.

“You know I think the majority of the public doesn’t realize of all the experience that foster youths go through. The foster care system but also the educational system. All the obstacles, everything that goes against them to succeed.”

But for Yarely Castro, who was one of the speakers and came through the exact system in the Imperial Valley, the people who’ve helped her through tough times, will always be family.

“That’s the reason why i like coming, I like being around them because they’re someone that I could depend on If I ever need to. They’re my support system in a way. If my family wasn’t there, they are.”

Thanks to sponsors such as Americorps, American Money Management, and the Imperial Valley County Office of Education who helped made today’s event possible, the foster youths of the Imperial Valley, have a fighting chance to make their dreams come true.