Orphan Foundation of America (ARA) - Making the transition into college is a challenge even under the best of circumstances. Imagine how much more difficult it must be when a young person has no support system whatsoever -- no parents to help pave the way, no "Bank of Mom and Dad" to fall back on, no loved one to simply listen at the end of a difficult day.

Thousands of young people aging out of the foster care system are in exactly that position. They share the same hopes, dreams and determination as their peers in traditional families. Yet without access to support -- both emotional and financial -- studies show only a handful of the 26,000 teens leaving foster care after age 18 have a chance of getting a college degree and readying themselves for today's competitive workplace.

With the right support, however, these youth can graduate from college and other training programs at a rate comparable to their peers in the general population. And millions of Americans have the chance to make a difference in their lives by providing that support. Through the Orphan Foundation of America (OFA), ordinary citizens are helping in many ways.

In addition to the $15 million in funding for postsecondary education that the organization awards every year, OFA provides former foster children with the emotional and social support so vital to the success of all college students. OFA relies on the efforts of people who, in addition to making monetary donations, offer their time as online mentors and coaches, internship providers, care package contributors, and even charitable knitters.

"The hardest part of coming out of the foster care system is not having a family base," says Sharim Grimes, who received a scholarship from OFA and is currently a finance major at Howard University in Washington, D.C. "There are times you really need to talk to someone, and you don't have the proper resources. But OFA has been there every step of the way for me and thousands of others, and it has definitely made a positive impact in our lives. I am successful; I'm graduating next year. And I could not have done it without OFA."

"It's very different not having a parent in your corner," agrees Helen Sharp, an OFA scholar and recent graduate of Indiana University. "To have an entire organization that really cares about you and does things just for you personally makes you feel like you're the most special person in the entire world."

Grimes and Sharp are just two of the many bright and talented foster youth who have overcome the odds with OFA's support. Here are several effective ways you can help thousands more like them to make a successful transition into adulthood:

* Ask your employer to sponsor an OFA scholarship that will cover the cost of tuition, books and approved living expenses for a student struggling to make ends meet and achieve academically at the same time. Each year, 2,000 young people apply for OFA scholarships funded by individuals, foundations and corporations.

* Host an intern at your company through OFA's InternAmerica program, which helps foster youth gain real-world job experience and germinate their careers.

* Mentor a student through OFA's national online volunteer mentoring program. All mentors are welcome, and there is a special need for male African American mentors. Through convenient online contact, mentors let young people know that someone cares about them and is ready to help them cope with the academic, social and emotional challenges of college.

* Encourage your company to support the OFA Care Package Program through a cash or in-kind donation, or organize an event to make care packages for students.

* Participate in OFA's Red Scarf Project by knitting a red scarf. From September through December, the organization collects red scarves to include in its Valentine's Day care packages. You can also contribute to the Red Scarf Fund for Foster Youth through your PayPal account.

To learn more about how you can become involved, visit www.orphan.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent