At VESTIA, we’re honored to stand beside the incredible young people in Contra Costa County who have experienced foster care and are now pursuing their dreams through higher education. Through our Foster Youth Scholarship Program 2025, we’ve proudly awarded $35,000 in scholarships to 30 inspiring students.
The Vogt-Morentz Charitable Fund established a generous $50,000 donation in December 2024 to launch the Need to $ucceed Scholarship. This scholarship supports re-entry students who have significantly delayed enrolling in an academic institution or experienced major gaps in their educational journey. To date, VESTIA has awarded $13,700 in scholarships to 7 deserving students.
These resilient scholars continue to rise above the many challenges they’ve faced, and we couldn’t be prouder of their determination and achievements. Congratulations to each one of you for your strength and commitment are truly inspiring.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our generous donors, particularly Vogt-Morentz Charitable Fund & Taylor Family Foundation. Your support is helping build a brighter, more stable future for students who need it most.
If you’d like to make a difference in the life of a former foster youth.
ILSP Youth: A Success Story
I want to begin by saying “THANK YOU” to those who believe in and support our ILSP youth! I have met Aricka a few times before, but the last time I saw her I was so curious about her. I asked her if she was graduating this year. She said, “Yes!” with a proud smile on her face. I thought she was graduating from high school but to my surprise she said, “I’m graduating from UC Davis.” I immediately congratulated her, and she went on to say, “I’ve been accepted to San Francisco State University for my master’s degree. I want to become a counselor.” I felt so proud of her for having accomplished so much.
We must admit we all have problems, but life is much more difficult when we don’t have our loved ones to advise us and guide us in the right direction. We find ourselves trusting in others to help us make the right decisions. It becomes a real challenge following through with the decision that was agreed upon. Once in a while, we all need a little push here and there as a reminder to keep focus and to follow through with the goal in mind. Aricka is the perfect example and motivation to us all. She had to overcome so many obstacles as a foster youth, the guidance and support helped her focus on her ultimate goal – obtain a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis.
Congratulations Aricka
All so proud to see them walk across the stage at their graduation ceremony each year and we wish them the very best as they enter into adulthood and this new stage of life and learning. These youth will need a lot of support as they start on their new lives, and the Assistance League of Diablo Valley has again generously provided each graduating youth with a duffel bag stuffed with new household items, pots, pans, towels, and all the necessities for starting a new home on their own. Thank you to the Assistance League for your support and encouragement of these youth! For more information call 925-655-1208.