The Bair Foundation - Foundations Graduation Issue 2021

FOUNDATIONS

Graduation 2021

Double Blessing!

Bair celebrates TWO college graduates in 2021

Alesia Wilson, Bair Scholarship recipient, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH.

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he Bair Foundation initiated a scholarship program named after late board member Edward B. Massey, Jr. and is available to all Bair graduating seniors, and renewable each year. In addition to financial support, The Bair Foundation staff offer mentoring and send care packages to each scholarship recipient.

One of our recipients, Alysia Wilson, was given up by her birth mother and adopted when she was 3 months old from Vietnam and brought to America; only to be abused, emotionally, physically and mentally. She was placed in foster care at age 15, and adopted by her Bair foster family a week before she turned 18 where she was given a chance for a successful future.

Brook Smith Stevenson (center) earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. She celebrated with Foster Care Specialists Kimberly Wilson and Ginger Kunkel from our Harrisburg office.

This year she graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati in Nursing with a 3.922 GPA. We are so happy and proud that we were able to help her along the way.

Among the many obstacles teens go through, our donors, families, and employees at Bair take the extra steps help to show a light at the end of the tunnel. To help create a successful future for fostered youth, please visit bair.org/donate to give securely online.

SENIORS

Insights from Dr. Sue Miklos

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o say that this year was like no other would be an understatement. Students everywhere had to press on, persevere and work harder because of the uncertainty of schooling situations during the pandemic.

With an already interrupted academic path, in addition to life during a pandemic, our youth have excelled!

As I look at each graduate and their hopes for the future, I am overwhelmed with happiness when I think of how far they have come with their academic success and in their personal lives. I could not be more proud of our graduates who overcame the obstacles in their lives in addition to the uncertain times we live in. The future is already looking brighter for our graduates.

Jabriel Jones

Abbigail Bussard

Children in foster care are in the high risk category for dropping out of school. The abuse, neglect and separation has such an impact on our youth. Bair has been an integral support system through our foster families and case workers who pray for their success in every area. Many of our foster care families continue to support our graduates while they age out of the foster care system and begin to navigate into their adult life, giving them a support system like no other. That is what makes Bair stand out because we stand beside our kids.

Thank you to the foster parents who said yes to giving our students who may have experienced multiple placements, abuse, rejection, a safe and loving environment.

Thank you for giving them an environment where opportunities have been available to teach them about the love of Christ.

The milestones that youth in foster care meet and exceed require more work and tenacity as well as a lot of encouragement and love from their families. Graduating is one more step to achieving great things, moving them out of the statistics and into an adult world, equipped to accomplish more than what they could have asked for or imagined.

Blessings on you class of 2021!

Executive Director

Ally hutchins

Jabriel graduated from Thomas Dale High School where he received good grades and took extra classes to qualify as a senior. He plans to study Computer Technology at John Tyler Community College. Jabriel’s foster parents are Larry and Michelle Mitchell from Bair’s Richmond office.

Abbigail graduated from Carlisle High School where she was a member of the National Art Honor Society. She plans to attend Shippensburg University and study Social Work and Human Services with a Psychology minor. Abbigail’s foster parents are Jessica and Cory Walton from Bair’s Harrisburg office.

Ally graduated from Hillsboro High School where she participated in bowling, music, and drama. She plans to attend Southern State Community College to study Human and Social Services for Chemical Dependency or Nursing. Ally’s foster parents are Ronald and Melissa Wilson from Bair’s Dayton office.

Shianne graduated from Oñate High School where she has been on the high honor roll and had perfect attendance.

She plans to attend Doña Ana Community College and will study Welding. Shianne’s foster parents are Prisma and Sergio Caraveo from Bair’s Las Cruces office.

shianne Chavez Valerie Mendoza

David graduated from Mechanicsburg High School where he played varsity soccer. He plans to work in landscaping and attend college. David’s foster parents are William and Dana Marshall from Bair’s Harrisburg office.

The Ed Massey, Jr. Scholarship Fund

David notarfrancesco

semonia Feil

Semonia graduated from Las Cruces High School and has dreams of someday starting her own business.

Semonia plans to attend Dona Ana Community College to earn a degree in Business and possibly attend Cosmetology school. Semonia’s foster parents are Jackie Blanco and Edgar Rodriguez from Bair’s Las Cruces office.

Michael Bondarek received $2,600 and will attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Michael’s foster care specialist is Mary Burrows from Bair’s Erie office.

Leigha graduated from Berkely High School where she was active in JROTC and Choir. She plans to attend Trident Tech College to study Cosmetology.

Leigha’s foster parents are Katrina and Cliff Booker from Bair’s Charleston office.

Leigha Smith

Michael graduated from Altoona Area High School where he was chosen for the School to Work Program in the Assisted Maintenance Department.

He plans to enter the work force and pursue job training as a Janitorial Technician. Michael’s foster parent is Christopher Cornelius from Bair’s Altoona office.

Michael Reinard

Abbigail Bussard was awarded $2,300 and will attend Shippensburg University. Abbie is pictured at her high school graduation with Ginger Kunkel, Foster Care Specialist from Bair’s Harrisburg office.

The Paul Smith Independent Living Fund

Mya graduated from White Knoll High School in Lexington, SC. She plans to attend Midlans Technical College to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice.

Mya’s foster parents are Pamela and Ronald Jones from Bair’s Columbia office.

Davon Gilner receives car grant

Mya Beattie

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he Paul Smith Independent Living Fund was named in honor of one of The Bair Foundation’s original founding board members. Since his passing in 2008, donations have been made and matched from Bair to help our teens with the purchase of a vehicle.

Foster teens often face significant barriers when transitioning into adulthood and attempting to live an independent life. As foster youth age out of care, their financial situations become more serious and the lack of financial help or support can add many road blocks. A young adult trying to graduate high school and figure out their next steps in life can be stressful for most, but it’s even harder for foster youth.

Learning to drive brings on new levels of independence and opportunities allowing fostered youth to take themselves to school, work, and extra-curricular activities, although obtaining a vehicle might not be so easy.

Purchasing a reliable form of transportation is nearly an essential milestone for young people today yet, for many youth exiting the foster care system do not have hopes in owning their own vehicle. Being able to provide our Bair teens with the tools and opportunities to successfully transition into society is crucial.

Our latest car grant recipient, Davon Gilner, received $1250 towards the purchase of a 2006 Ford Fusion that he purchased from his foster mom, Denise Ash. Allison Gillen from our Harrisburg office assisted Davon with his application. We increased the maximum match from $1000 to $1500 this year to help with the cost of insurance.

Marcus Veillard

Davon Gilner

Marcus graduated from Pickerington Central High School where he participated in Track and Field, and worked hard to graduate at the same time as his peers while working 25 hours a week at FedEx. He received a scholarship from FCCYS and plans to attend Columbus State Community College.

Marcus’ foster parents are Eric and Dana Hill from Bair’s Columbus office.

Davon graduated from Diakon Wilderness Center where he was on the Honor Roll. Davon worked to obtain his driver’s license and was able to purchase his own car. He plans to attend technical college to be an electrician. Davon’s foster parents are Doug and Denise Ash from Bair’s Harrisburg office.

We are proud to say...

of Bair graduates go on to a college, technical school or the United States Armed Services.

The Bair Foundation National Office  241 High Street, New Wilmington, PA 16142  (800) 543-7058 Support Foster Youth with a Tax-Deductible Contribution: bair.org/donate