Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation’s scholarship program allows individuals to apply as long as they are the under the age of 25. This flexibility is especially beneficial for students who either completed high school or earned their GED later in life or chose not to pursue college immediately after graduating.
Anna, who joined the AFFCF Scholarship program in January 2023, initially couldn’t see herself graduating from high school:
“High school was a difficult time for me. I moved frequently which made maintaining my grades or a social life almost impossible. My parents and siblings never finished high school so it didn’t even seem all that important at the time. For a while, I contemplated giving up on trying to obtain my diploma because it was just too hard. I was so consumed by the things going on in my life at the time that college seemed like such a distant dream or desire.”
Wanting More
Halfway through high school she realized that she “wanted to be more and prove that I could do better even with the hand that I was dealt. I managed to finish high school on time and that was the first time I allowed myself to think of what else my future could be like if I opened myself up to all the opportunities available.”
Following her graduation from high school, Anna pursued vocational studies and earned her esthetician certificate. After working in that field, she realized that her passion lies in helping others. She began working for the Department of Child Safety (DCS) as a Youth Advocacy Specialist and started classes at Mesa Community College in the fall of 2022 to study social work.
A Busy Schedule
Currently, not only is Anna’s plate full with her work at DCS and her studies, she is also balancing being a newlywed with caring for two of her younger siblings (plus two dogs and a snake!). She and her husband provide respite on the weekends for a friend of her sister who is also in foster care, so they usually have three teen girls running the house!
There is a quote by Henry Ward Beecher that Anna loves and she says it reminds her of how far she has come in her life:
“Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself-and be lenient to everybody else.”
Anna is an exceptional individual and AFFCF looks forward to continuing to support her as she continues her studies, as her goal is to earn her Bachelor of Social Work.
Foster Higher Learning
Supporting the AFFCF scholarship program means give young adults, like Anna, who have aged out of foster care the ability to chase their educational dreams. AFFCF is a Qualifying Foster Care Organization, which means you can receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on your Arizona state taxes. The maximum an individual can claim a credit for the 2022 tax year is $526 and $1,051 for couples. Donate today!