A Message from Andrea
As we approach the end of an unprecedented academic year, I’m inspired by our Fostering Success Program students and graduates. Our Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 graduating students are ambitious, talented and appreciative. We’re proud to have a growing number of independent students with 244 FSP students who have graduated between 2011-2020. We are anticipating another 40+ FSP graduates by the end of this academic year!
Event
Thank you donors for your steadfast support! The FSP Donor Appreciation Event was an amazing opportunity for students and donors to build community on zoom. FSP student and scholar Maddie Mills articulated it best, “Tonight’s event was something I didn’t know I needed until now. I met so many amazing people, connected with familiar faces, and felt the undeniable love and support FSP always has to offer. I am so grateful to be apart of something so amazing. It has truly changed my life for the better.”
Galena Emergency Fund
With COVID, emergency financial needs are at an all-time high. In past years, FSP has supported an
average of 8 emergency housing requests a year. This past year, we supported 37 emergency awards, and expanded this fund to support additional emergency needs, such as transportation, clothing, and hygiene. We have distributed close to $33,000 in Galena emergency assistance since last March, which is 8 times the amount of funds as past years. Thankfully, your generous donations have allowed us to continue assisting students during this challenging time. If you would like to donate to this fund, navigate to the Galena Emergency Assistance Endowment here.
A Note From A Student
I applied to CSU, my dream school, shortly after my mother passed away. I wasn’t sure if I would get in or if I would be able to go if I did. I was a transfer student from New York who had just lost a huge part of their support network. The day I got my acceptance letter from CSU I also received a message from the Fostering Success Program, welcoming me to the Ram family and to a family of individuals just like me.
At the time I didn’t know what that meant. I wasn’t used to reaching out to people, accepting support or advocating for myself. For some reason though, I held onto that message, taking it with me through my move to Colorado, throughout the year I worked to qualify for in-state tuition, and through my final move to Fort Collins. In Fort Collins I looked for that letter and was sad to find it gone. I called CSU and the student aid who answered the phone didn’t know what FSP was or how I could access it. I gave up quickly. I was overwhelmed with my first semester. I watched students and their parents during move in weekend and tried my best to prepare on my own, not knowing what I needed or who to ask.
During my first days of classes I got an email from FSP. They were handing out free school supplies. I went to the event and met for the first-time people who would play a huge role in my career and success here at CSU. I asked what I needed and was given it all plus a handwritten note showing someone cared. I cannot recall how many times FSP has come through to support me since then, but I feel like FSP is 80% of why I come back to CSU every semester.
Now move-in weekend reminds me of how close we are to the semesters first FSP Family dinner, to fun FSP events, and to surprise care packages arriving just in time. FSP has helped me financially with scholarships, taught me how to budget, assisted with FAFSA and most importantly gave me a family. I know that all of this is only possible through the amazing and generous support of donors and I want to say a great and huge thank you from the bottom of my heart. Many of you have not met me, but your impact on my life has been astounding.
I am truly grateful for the support you have given and continue to give FSP that allows them to do everything they do. When I think of my Ramily I think of FSP and this program first. It has made me so proud to be a Ram. I can’t wait to come back as a successful Alumni and pay the same support you are giving now forward to a new generation of FSP students.
-Anna-Maria Meiser