Foster Youth who Turned Challenges into Triumph to Headline Detroit Fostering Futures Dinner, with Special Celebrity Guest

The Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund-which for more than a decade has helped young people who experienced foster care pursue their dreams of higher education-will host its annual Detroit fundraising dinner on Friday, Sept. 12, from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at the Roostertail restaurant.

This year's event will spotlight powerful stories of resilience and achievement from Fostering Futures Scholarship recipients from Detroit:

• Raymond Miller, a student at Western Michigan University, is preparing for a career in aviation operations. His fascination with airports began during his first airplane trip as a young man, when navigating the terminals and runways sparked a lifelong passion. "Airports and travel are now in my DNA," said Miller, who will graduate next year. "This scholarship is helping me stay focused on training and education without being weighed down by financial worries."
• Ov'Var'Shia Gray-Woods, a former recipient, credits her own difficult experience in foster care with shaping her future. Rather than leaving her disheartened, it ignited a passion to change the system from within. She graduated in December 2024 with a Master of Social Work from Wayne State University. "This program helped change my life and now I want to help others," she said. "Fostering Futures gave me the opportunity to believe in myself, pursue higher education and ultimately prepare to advocate for the next generation of foster youth."

Attendees will also hear from actor, singer and youth advocate Malik Yoba, who will lend his voice to encourage broader community support for foster youth. The evening will include dinner, raffles, prizes and networking opportunities with others who share a commitment to making higher education attainable for young people who have aged out of foster care.

"This fundraising dinner is about opening doors to brighter futures for Michigan's foster youth," said Diane Brewer, Executive Director of the Michigan Education Trust at the Department of Treasury, which oversees the Foster Futures Scholarship program. "Too many young people leave foster care with big dreams but without the resources to make them a reality. This scholarship helps bridge that gap - covering essentials like tuition, housing, books and other critical needs - so students can focus on achieving their goals."

By the numbers

• The Michigan foster care system serves approximately 10,000 young people.
• Nationally, it is estimated between 69% and 85% of students who have experienced foster care complete high school by their mid-20s, and just 8% to 11% go on to earn a postsecondary degree (associate's or higher)--five times lower than the national average. Since 2012, Fostering Futures events have raised more than $1.4 million, with all funds awarded as scholarships within the same year.

Tickets are $100 per person or $800 for a table of eight and are open to the public. To purchase tickets, explore sponsorships or learn more, visit Fostering Futures Scholarship Event or call 800-638-4543.

Those unable to attend can still contribute by donating securely online or mailing a check with the Fostering Futures Scholarship Contribution Form to:

State of Michigan - Fostering Futures Scholarship
P.O. Box 30198
Lansing, MI 48909

Contributions made by Dec. 31 are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170(c).

Sponsors of the Detroit event include the Michigan Education Savings Program, Park West Foundation, Michigan Student Financial Aid Association, Michigan Association of State Universities, Ferris State University, Güd Marketing, Lake Trust Credit Union, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura Corrigan, iHeartMedia, Metro Parent, Michigan College Access Network, Orchards Children's Services, Western Michigan University Seita Scholars Program, the New Foster Care, Michigan Association of Broadcasters and WXYZ-TV.