Date: 02/07/2005

The Spartan Scholastic Society, a new program at SJSU, has been established to support and mentor emancipated foster youth who have a dream of higher education, according to Mary Male, professor of special education. The program is designed to help former foster youth find housing and financial aid, and connect them with mentors who can provide career and other support. Male reports that there are approximately 125 students from foster care programs at SJSU. "We plan to have our scholars participate with us in outreach activities for kids in the pipeline (high school and middle school), so that each youth who is helped gets to help someone else. SJSU???s program is modeled after successful programs at UCSC, CSU Fullerton, Cal Poly Pomona and UC Irvine. If you are interested in serving as a mentor, contact Male at mmale@email.sjsu.edu.