JCC to Hold Events to Raise Foster Care Awareness

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month. Jefferson Community College (JCC) and the Children’s Home of Jefferson County have paired up to create awareness about foster care – what it means to those who are involved and how to get involved - and academic programs available for those interested in a career in human services.

On Tuesday, April 30, opportunity night will be held at JCC in the Samuel Guthrie Building (Building 2), Room 2-107 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about academic programs leading to a career in the human services field, how JCC can help them earn their degree and juggle work/family commitments, and learn about amazing student support programs such as the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) that guides a student at JCC and follows them to their next college. A student panel will share their experience using student support services at JCC and answer questions from the audience. Most, if not all, foster care youth qualify for EOP services that encompass academic counseling, educational/career planning, financial advisement/assistance, and an orientation program. Representatives of EOP and Enrollment Services will be present. Assistance will be available for anyone ready to apply for admission and complete the college application and EOP application. Applying to JCC is free.

On Wednesday, May 1, a childhood services employment fair will be held in the Jules Center Commons (Building 6) between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Participating agencies may include, but are not limited to, the Children’s Home of Jefferson County, YMCA, Victims Assistance Center, Credo, the House of Good Shepherd, and Arc of Jefferson County. This is a great opportunity to learn about open positions with local agencies and the many different positions that exist within the human services field.

On Thursday, May 2, there will be a move screening of the 2018 IMDb (internet movie database) film Instant Family starring Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne at 4:30 p.m. in Sturtz Theater. Instant Family, inspired by a true family, is a comedy film about a couple who finds themselves in over their heads after they begin fostering children. A panel discussion centered on foster care, childhood trauma, substance abuse, and social service agencies will immediately follow the movie.

“We want young adults and adults alike to learn that higher education is an option for them,” says Abigail Bryant, coordinator of EOP at JCC. “From financial support to personal and academic support services, JCC has the ability to serve everyone in our community including those that don't see higher education as attainable.”

All events are open to the public. For more information, call the JCC EOP Office at (315) 786-2288.

Foster care awareness events at Jefferson Community College are sponsored by the JCC Educational Opportunity Program, Children’s Home of Jefferson County, JCC diversity work group, liberal arts division which houses the social sciences and human services departments.