Statistically, too many children who end up in foster care experience problems with their education once they are assigned to a family. While the system ensures that they are able to finish their education, a lot of them fall behind, just like what happened to FUNdamentals for Foster Care founder and executive director Cheryl Williams. To prevent this from happening to a large number of children in foster care, Cheryl established the organization to make sure that they get the tools they need to continue learning.
FUNdamentals for Foster Care primarily exists to give science and technology, engineering, art, and mathematics toys to children who are transitioning in the foster care system. To do this, Cheryl Williams is constantly looking for champions who have the heart to help orphaned children going through the most challenging stage in their life. Donations are being utilized to acquire educational toys that will aid children greatly as they transition.
Cheryl Williams herself went through a difficult childhood that eventually brought her to foster care. She understands what it is like to transition in the foster care system and to be left behind when it comes to one’s education. One of her ultimate dreams is to minimize the number of children who suffer from the effects of the transition. FUNdamentals for Foster Care is an effective avenue to raise awareness about the plight of many foster children.
“I was always a straight A student and even skipped sixth grade, but when I went into foster care my sophomore year of high school, my brain just seemed to stop working. I did eventually get my GED and finish college with a 4.0 GPA, but it took me 10 years. It’s not surprising that only 3% of those in foster care graduate college even though many get a free ride from the state for being wards of the court,” Cheryl explains.
By getting kind-hearted individuals to help in sponsoring educational toys for children through FUNdamentals for Foster Care, Cheryl is contributing to maintaining the children’s interest in learning.
“I felt like I had no skills at 18. I couldn’t find a job I was good at. I had few options, so I wanted to develop a program that helps youth in foster care develop career confidence and life skills at any age in care, even when no dependable parents or mentors are available. Every time a child transitions to a new home, they fall behind, on average, 6 months in school. We are trying to bridge that gap by providing learning tool kits they can take with them anywhere and be actively engaged in their learning through fun play,” the FUNdamentals for Foster Care founder added.
While the task laid out before her is challenging, Cheryl Williams is confident that it is only a matter of time before generous potential partners see the value of FUNdamentals for Foster Care’s objectives. Cheryl has a degree in early childhood education and has 20 years of non-profit experience. She has been part of CASA known as Court Appointed Special Advocates for those in foster care, Restoration Blessings, and Care Communities, to mention a few.
Through FUNdamentals for Foster Care, Cheryl Williams is looking forward to extending love and help to numerous children in foster care in the years to come. She is committed to continuing to work hard to bring in more people to support the cause, such as influencers and popular artists. With the times becoming more and more difficult due to the crisis the world is experiencing, Cheryl believes that it is important to educate people that the most affected are children who no longer have homes.
Learn more about FUNdamentals for Foster Care and its initiatives by visiting its website.
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