Our Impact
Our Impact on the Hampton Roads Community!
Connect with a wish visit odu- Education
Thank you to Connect With A Wish for bringing the foster youth they serve to join Foster-U on a tour of Old Dominion University.
The youth were able to get a glance into life as a Monarch and were able to have a 1-on-1 session with University Officials to ask questions about admissions and different departments on campus.
(April 2022)
March for our care #Foster Care- Awareness
On April 16th, Foster-U held its first Foster Care Awareness Walk to highlight the needs of youth in the foster care system.
Members of ODU and the community came out to March on Kaufman Mall to become champions for children in foster care. It was an amazing event!
We look forward to hosting this event again in the future to continue being champions for youth in foster care!
(April 2022)
SAY IT OUT LOUD SYMPOSIUM- EDUCATION
Thank you to NAMI Coastal Virginia for presenting the Say It Out Loud Presentation for our students and opening up a discussion surrounding mental health.
Also, thank you to ODU Counseling Services for sharing with our student the importance of taking care of your mental well-being.
(March 2022)
Girl Scouts visit ODU- Education
Thank you to Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast for visiting ODU with Foster-U and taking a glimpse into your future.
The girls enjoyed their time here on campus and were able to experience college life and envision their futures!
(March 2022)
tRAUMA tALK W/ Erinn portnoy- Education
Foster-U welcomed Erinn Portnoy who is the Executive Director of the Child Advocacy Center with CHKD to discuss Childhood Trauma and the adverse effects it has on the development of youth.
Our Champions were able to understand trauma on a deeper level and gain an understanding of the lives of youth who face severe trauma.
(March 2022)
ODU VS. MIDDLE TENNESSEE- pROGRAMMING
In partnership with Tidewater Friends of Foster Care, we were able to host foster youth and their families for ODU’S final home basketball game against Middle Tennessee.
The youth and the families came out and had an enjoyable time and were also able to witness ODU score big. What a memorable experience.
(March 2022)
Good Mojo Thrift Store- Service
Members of Foster-U traveled to Good Mojo Thrift Store to help maintain cleanliness by clearing the racks and placing clothes in appropriate sections. We also were able to organize the store and created a seamless experience for members of the community to walk into.
Also, huge thank you to Divine Shelton for organizing this effort so we can continuously give back to members in our community.
(February 2020)
Foster-u academy- Education
Members of Foster-U engaged in a two day training with materials provided by FosterClub to better expand their knowledge on the foster care system and how to work with youth who have different backgrounds than they do.
Through our time together, we were able to develop a deeper understanding of the struggles that youth in foster care face and the depth of their vulnerability as a population.
(January 2020)
Ronald mcdonald house charities -Service
Members of Foster-U and the community traveled to Ronald McDonald House where we cooked breakfast for the families who were residing there. We served up a nice hearty breakfast for the families which included: eggs, pancakes, fruits, and a variety of meats!
The families were overjoyed by our presentation and quality of our meal. It was a wonderful service engagement.
(November 2019)
fOSTER PARENT/SOCIAL WORKER PANEL- Education
Foster-U welcomed social workers and foster parents from United Methodist Family Services, Tidewater Friends of Foster Care, and Virginia Beach Department of Social Services to engage in a discussion with our students on what it's like to be in the role of a foster parent/social worker/advocate.
Students engaged with our panelists by asking questions on their experiences on a day to day and the struggles they face while working with this vulnerable population. Their stories left such an impact on our champions and inspired them to go above and beyond for a foster youth.
(October 2019)
dELEGATE jASON mIYARES OF THE 82ND DISTRICT
Foster-U welcomed Delegate Jason S. Miyares of the 82nd District to come and speak on the legislation he has written for individuals in foster care seeking Higher Education.
His knowledge and experience with the General Assembly helped our students not only have a better understanding of higher education in regards to the foster care system but also how legislation is created and what happens during the General Assembly.
(October 2019)
gOOD mOJO THRIFT STORE- sERVICE
Members of Foster-U and the community traveled to Good Mojo Thrift Store where we helped to sort through clothes and keep things organized for members of the community who were coming in to shop.
Through this experience, we were able to bond with one another as well as step into a new environment where we were able to see how individuals locally are helping those in need.
(October 2019)
#TRAUMA-TALK Childhood tRAUMA dISCUSSION- Education
Foster-U welcomed Mrs. Erinn Portnoy from CHKD'S Child Abuse Program to speak on Childhood Trauma with our college students to help us better understand the trauma's that not only other youth face but challenges that some of the students may have faced when growing up.
This session was extremely informative and provided our students with a deeper understanding of their past as it relates to traumatic events they have been through and the effects it has on their development.
(October 2019)
Say it out loud Mental Health Awareness- Education
Foster-U held a mental health awareness event where we partnered with ODU's Counseling Services and NAMI Coastal to bring a panel of young adults facing mental health issues to speak on their experiences.
(October, 2019)
UNION MISSION MINISTRIES -sERVICE
Members of Foster-U traveled to Union Mission Ministries to volunteer in their warehouse where we sorted canned goods and made food boxes for the families they serve.
This was our first service engagement together as an organization and it was such a success. The members were able to work together in the warehouse to ensure that families in need would be able to have food for themselves.
(September 2019)
