Hartnell College program helps Foster Kids

Christmas time can be hard for many foster kids in Monterey County.

“It’s a difficult time of the year as it is. People are together, people are enjoying being with family, siblings, and relatives. So it’s hard when you’re not with your family or with people you know,” said community liaison Mayra Guzman.

According to Monterey County Family and Children Services, there’s a great need for foster families.

“We can sometimes during the year have over 300 children, and that number fluctuates,” said Guzman.

Guzman said the greatest need is for children coming into care who can’t stay with relatives.

“We’re always trying to find ways to identify families in the community who will commit and love these kids,” said Guzman.

Many of the foster children have absolutely nothing to their name.

“We try to support what the stipend does not. Even moral support,” said Susan Derichsweiler of the Foster Parent Association.

“Hartnell provides all the training and education for all foster parents,” said Grant project director Margie Wiebusch.

Hartnell College doesn’t stop there. A new program at the school called Guardian Scholars is designed to help students who were in the foster care system.

“Only six percent of current students are foster youth. And that’s because a lot of them don’t feel like they can go to college because they’re too busy trying to find a job. They’re too busy trying to handle their situations. It’s important to know they have this service here and they are capable of going to college and succeeding,” said Betsaida Garcia.