First Lady Anne Holton moderates student panel

The 2nd Annual Great Expectations Educational Forum featured heartfelt testimony from Virginia’s foster youth about the difference it makes when a student in the foster system receives the coaching and guidance to get higher education experience at a Virginia Community College.

Marian Wright Edelman

Marian Wright Edelman, guest speaker for the event, and First Lady Anne Holton, who moderated a panel of foster youth, inspired the youth and an audience of more than 200 at the event, held Oct. 23 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.

But the real draw was the youth themselves – all participating in Great Expectations programs at Virginia Community Colleges around the commonwealth.

The programs put small groups of youths who have been in foster care with mentors and coaches who can help them “navigate” the system – attending community college and beyond.

Tiffany Dunford of JSRCC prevews the Great Expectations Resource Center Web site

The forum also served as the “unveiling” for a new online resource center specifically for the Great Expectations program, which will also serve as the program’s main website.  Explore the resource center at GreatExpectations.vccs.edu.

Great Expectations is supported by many private sponsors and is an initiative of the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education.

–posted by Susan Hayden