Jeremy Loudenback, Fostering Media Connections

Every morning before school, 17-year-old Lonnell rises before dawn to make his way to the football field at Manual Arts High School. At 6:00 a.m., he’s out of his aunt’s home near the Crenshaw Plaza and on a bus to his South Los Angeles high school.

Foster youth can face a myriad of educational barriers, challenges and hurdles during their elementary, middle, high school and college years on their path to higher education and a career. As a result, they need stability in home and school life, peer relationships and family as well as mentors to keep them motivated and on track.