This trip opened students ’ eyes to various support systems , affirming that there are people , organizations , and institutions invested in their success . Inspired and excited about their futures , three students applied to the Guardian Scholars program that supports current and former foster youth pursuing their educational and career goals . Additionally , five students were paired with Youth2Youth Mentors . This peer-mentoring program hires Guardian Scholars with lived-experience as mentors to current foster youth .
comfortable with Arizona State University ’ s sunshine and the on-campus palm trees gave a subtle reminder of home . Others enjoyed the stunning mountain skyline surrounding The University of Arizona in Tucson . As the gears started turning for students , their futures came into focus . This is the magic of a college tours trip ; giving something tangible to look forward to after graduation .
This opportunity for foster youth would not have been possible without Southwest Airlines . As the Official Airline of Promises2Kids and a sponsor of their Dream On Concert Gala , Promises2Kids is grateful for their partnership and unwavering support over the years .
To learn more , donate or become a mentor , visit www . Promises2Kids . org .
Students toured each campus , hung out in the student unions , and sampled the social life . Each received a stipend for the campus stores to purchase a memento . Many went for hoodies proudly bearing university seals . One student insisted on buying stationery to write thank-yous to all who made this trip possible !
Since most had never left San Diego , let alone the state , it was important to get a sense of what a different locale offers . Most college students would agree that the time you spend on campus is only half the experience . Exploring your surroundings is the other half . So , extracurricular excursions were built into the trip , involving a jeep tour around Sedona National Park , a golf experience , a snowball fight and building snowmen .
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