Fifteen years ago, a group of City College students set out to establish a community of support on campus, creating a student-driven club to support foster youth. Thus, the Guardian Scholars was created to serve one of the campus’ most vulnerable populations. What began with students has now evolved into the school’s Guardian Scholars program, a comprehensive and holistic initiative to support current and foster youth in their academic journey.
Today, the Guardian Scholars program is led by EOPS Student Program adviser Christina Lomeli, who continues to champion the mission of student success. Guardian Scholars works alongside the NextUp program to expand eligibility for more community college students across diverse ages and life stages.
The Guardian Scholars and NextUp programs cater to distinct demographics of current and former foster youth. Guardian Scholars is more inclusive, offering access to unique resources tailored for foster youth, without strict eligibility requirements. This flexibility allows it to assist a broader range of students, including those not enrolled full-time or above the age of 25. However, NextUp is a state-funded initiative under EOPS services, with more selective criteria, serving students who were in foster care after age 13 and are under 26. Both programs are integrated at City College to ensure participants receive all necessary resources available for foster youth.
“EOPS motto is ‘Above and Beyond’ and the NextUp model is ‘Over Above and Beyond, and in Addition to’,” Lomeli said. “They require not only above and beyond services, but as the chancellor’s office has noted, over above and beyond.”
Support is provided throughout students’ academic journey, from pre-enrollment to graduation and transfer. The Guardian Scholars program goes beyond the basics, ensuring that students have access to resources such as book grants, school supplies, transportation assistance through gas and Uber cards, SBCC Meal Plan, fee waivers, specialized tutoring, and priority registration. Support extends beyond campus through partnerships with local organizations, including housing assistance through the YMCA and Turner Foundation. The program also provides technological assistance through the Assistance League of Santa Barbara. Their Fostering Friends Program has provided foster youth with iPads, laptops, and other essential devices.
From helping students navigate life events to building a supportive community, the program creates a sense of belonging for students who often lack a traditional home. Events like Friendsgiving, beach days, and group dinners establish a community and provide foster youth with a network.
“There was this table full of people in different age groups that all had one similar thing in common. We had all been in foster care,” said Melissa, a Guardian Scholars student, whose last name has been withheld to protect her privacy. “I was surrounded by people that had the same experience I did, all aiming towards the same goal of higher education and success.”
The program’s aim is to foster a supportive environment where students can develop essential skills and confidence. Skill-building resources offered to students include weekly support groups, holiday care packages, mental health therapy, life skills training, academic success strategies, and personalized life coaching. Dedicated life coaches are available to help foster youth redefine their paths and feel empowered.
“With [the life coaches], I work on changing my belief system to see myself as successful,” Melissa said. “A lot of us ex-foster children, because of our abandonment issues of being in the system and not having parents, we don’t feel worthy of success, and we sabotage.”
Imani, a NextUp student, whose name has also been withheld, shared a similar experience.
“They teach us about life, not just because we were former foster youth, but because we’re human beings,” she said.
In their mission to transform the lived experiences of foster youth, the Guardian Scholars program staff focus on providing an environment where students feel supported, seen, and valued.
“Sadly, as former foster youth, we have been brought down by our peers for so long,” Imani said. “Having wonderful advisors speaking positive things about us into existence is something we’ve never had before.”
Guardian Scholars aims to cultivate a community for students with unique lived experiences, different from traditional students and other marginalized populations. Lomeli takes the initiative to create a safe and supportive environment for City College students impacted by foster care. She recognizes the additional challenges faced by students in the foster care system, including childhood trauma and bureaucratic hurdles. The program focuses on giving the students the tools to navigate these challenges to transition toward an independent and productive adulthood.
To meet the growing needs of foster youth the program is looking for a dedicated coordinator.
“[The program is] Strongly advocating for a dedicated coordinator who can fully and intentionally and holistically wrap around the needs of students from the foster care system because they deserve it,” Lomeli said.
With limited staff serving multiple populations on campus, the risk of students slipping through the cracks is a challenge that must be addressed. Investing in dedicated staffing and space for the Guardian Scholars and NextUp program is a crucial next step for City College to fully support foster youth in their academic journey.
