Foster Youth/Former Foster Youth to Benefit through Scholarship Educational Programs

SAN BERNARDINO, California (Friday, December 13, 2013) – Children’s Fund is the recipient of a 2-year $50,000 scholarship grant for foster and former foster youth provided by Cardenas Market at their recent event held at the Auto Club Speedway in October. Children’s Fund was among other educational institutions and school districts, part of $483,000 that was bestowed to multiple organizations by Cardenas Markets.

“Cardenas Markets is committed to our local communities,” states Marco Robles, Vice-President of Public Affairs for Cardenas Markets. “Our efforts will help create and strengthen conditions for local families to propel vulnerable children to success.”

The grant will help fund scholarships for foster high school students who are doing well academically to enable them to further their education. Aiden, as a high school senior from Apple Valley, benefitted from this scholarship. Entering the foster care system at the age of 4, he lived in multiple states and overcame difficult circumstances. He could have chosen a different path, but he is strong and resilient and demonstrates why Children’s Fund believes that investments like these will help youth like Aiden reach their goals.

“Together, Cardenas Markets and Children’s Fund can provide much needed financial support for students like Aiden so that they can reach their educational goals and change their future,” states Erin Phillips, President & CEO of Children’s Fund. “This $50,000 investment for scholarship and academic support will make a very real impact in the lives of many youth, youth who may someday be our Mayors, business leaders, etc.”

Potential barriers for foster youth and former foster youth go far beyond books and academic fees; students must also balance housing, food, and other expenses with relatively little external support in order to successfully graduate.

“Less than 5% of foster or former foster youth graduate from college with four year degrees,” says Phillips. “It is because of generous financial partners, like Cardenas Markets, that we can help provide scholarships to local foster and former foster youth who would otherwise not have the means to achieve their goals – whether that is obtaining technical training or pursuing higher academic degrees.”

Created in 1986, Children’s Fund is a non-profit whose mission is to prevent child abuse in our community; to ensure that at-risk children who are abused, neglected, impoverished, or abandoned receive adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care and education; and to provide equal opportunity for social development for these children. Since its inception, Children’s Fund has served more than 1.3 million children. For more information on Children’s Fund or to learn how you can give a child hope for brighter tomorrows by making a donation, go to www.childrensfundonline.org or call 909.379.0000. Follow us on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/W4Wymf

Cardenas Markets is a family owned business headquartered in Ontario, California with 29 store locations in San Bernardino County, Imperial County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County and Las Vegas Nevada.