Helping Foster Youth Thrive at George Washington High School

By Jolie Li

At George Washington High School, students in foster care face numerous challenges that are often overlooked, especially in regard to housing difficulties. Frequent moves can lead to an unstable lifestyle, making it harder for foster youths to focus at school. Recognizing these difficulties, the school community has stepped up its support to address further issues by providing for students' needs both inside and outside the classroom, ensuring they have the resources necessary to succeed. 

School Resources and Support Services

Veronica García, the Wellness Coordinator at George Washington, also serves as a liaison for SFUSD’s SAFEH (Students and Families Experiencing Homelessness) program. SAFEH collaborates with schools like George Washington to identify students in foster care and ensure they are well-connected to resources and services. The program focuses on helping students facing homelessness to receive the support they need, both academically and personally, by connecting them with mental health and financial aid services. 

According to García, the Wellness Coordinator and foster youth liaison, “Being mindful and respectful of like their confidentiality and their privacy, and similar with our students that are impacted by homelessness or are a part of SAFEH or connected to that in some way, this isn't always a topic that they might share openly with their teachers or with their peers.” Respecting privacy is necessary, as many foster youth may feel less open in discussing their situations. The collaboration with SAFEH helps identify students in need and develop support plans that involve teachers and counselors to assist foster youth in navigating their academic and personal challenges. 

Promoting Awareness and Community Engagement

In addition to staff efforts, George Washington actively promotes awareness of foster youth throughout the year. García highlighted the importance of community involvement towards foster youth, stating, “For instance, May is Foster Care Awareness Month. We work with a lot of our student volunteers to promote this topic, whether it’s like making banners or posters or maybe sending out emails to teachers and caregivers.” Their effort not only raises awareness amongst students and staff but also encourages broader community engagement in supporting foster youth at Washington. 

Considering all of this, George Washington is dedicated to assisting foster youth facing homelessness through targeted programs and community efforts. The collaboration between García and SAFEH ensures that all students receive the resources needed for academic and personal challenges. By raising awareness during Foster Youth Awareness Month, students not only spread awareness around the school community but also gain empathy and understanding among peers and staff. Through these efforts, George Washington constantly tries to help them succeed academically and create an inclusive environment where foster youth can feel welcomed.