Bruin Guardian Scholars Program Analysis

Leaving home for the very first time to attend a university that is miles away can be scary and finding a community can be difficult. Most young adults leaving home usually have a support system; a group of people that have helped them get to where they are. However, some adolescents have had no support throughout their high school careers — or even their life. Emancipated youth or minors in the foster care system are separated from their families and often times are raised in unstable conditions. Thus affecting their childhood and impacting the decisions they make and who they will become as future adults. The statistics of the United Friends of the Children, find that forty-six percent of all emancipated youth do not complete high school …show more content…
For many Students who were emancipated minors, the Bruin Guardian Scholars program is one of the only support systems or community groups at UCLA (Bruin Guardian Scholars). The program provides “tools that promote self-sufficiency for a successful transition from college to career”(Bruin Guardian Scholars). Students are able to relate to one another’s unique experiences and are able to form relationships with students of similar backgrounds. The social and academic support created by the program further motivates the Bruin Scholars to stay focused and optimistic. Ashley, an Anthropology major states that,“The Bruin Guardian Scholars program provides me the support that I need. Our weekly BI meetings allow me to learn about how to deal with stress and apply it to my studies. I know I can probably learn how to deal with stress somewhere else on campus, but I feel that no one understands my perspective.” According to the statistics of the United Friends of the Children, 46% of all emancipated youth do not complete high school and roughly 1% of all foster youth who enroll in college earn a bachelor degree. Aware of this statistic, as well as the many other risks associated with being a foster child, the Bruin Guardian Scholars and the program aim to beat statistics. The Guardian Scholars Program is actively …show more content…
Unfortunately the reputation for these facilities are subpar, known for consisting of violence, abuse, and neglect. Growing up as a young child and living in these types of environments can affect ones self-esteem. All the Bruin Guardian Scholars that I interviewed mentioned that their environment made them feel inferior and incapable of being successful. One of the Bruin Guardian Scholars states that, “ so many people told me I would’t be able to get into UCLA. People judged my abilities and underestimated me because I grew up in foster homes. Although I did not have the parental guidance and support that most children get, I invested in my