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THE FOSTER YOUTH & FIRST GEN REALITY

There are over 400,000 foster youth and 1.46 million first-generation college students in America. Through no fault of their own, they don’t have the same access to support or opportunities that their peers do.

Only 3% of foster youth will graduate from college.

Only 11% of first-generation students will graduate college.

50%

of Foster Youth will be Unemployed or Underemployed¹

29%

Will be Unable to Pay Rent

42%

Will be Convicted of a Crime

The three outcomes pictured above are specific to foster youth.
¹Source: ( 2007) Our Children: Emancipating Foster Youth | Cities, Counties, and School Partnership

THE RTS DIFFERENCE

94%

of Qualified Ready to Succeed Scholars are Placed in Paid Summer Internships During College

92%

Secure Jobs 6 Months After Graduation

95%

Say They Can Envision a Bright Future for the First Time in Their Lives

WE ARE BREAKING THE CYCLE

Ready to Succeed is a career and personal development program that provides youth impacted by foster care and low-income first-generation college students with the resources, relationships, and opportunities they need to thrive, both personally and professionally.

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After graduation in June, I’m most looking forward to the freedom that comes with not being in school, just for a little while before I jump into law school.
—Uchechi Duruji, UCLA '23, Political Science, African American Studies

I'm most looking forward to going on my trip to Kenya next month with EDU Africa and applying to law school in the fall.
—Angel Rading, Loyola Marymount University '23, African American Studies, Political Science

I am most looking forward to starting my fellowship with UCLA Institute for Carbon Management this summer.
—David Rodriguez Lopez, UC Santa Barbara '23, Mechanical Engineering

I am most looking forward to working as a clinical assistant at Bosley in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and volunteering with the Cedar Sinai community health improvement program. I'm passionate about promoting culturally competent care and improving access to healthcare. These experiences will allow me to make a meaningful impact in my community.
—Diana Jerez, UC Berkeley '23, Data Science & Economics

I'm most looking forward to putting all of the skills I’ve learned to practice and helping my community. I’m very passionate about providing evidence-based care and practice in the clinical setting and hope to help underserved communities in Los Angeles.
—Denise Montes, UCLA '23, Nursing

I am grateful for having great support networks like Ready to Succeed, whom have helped provide me with a multitude of resources to help me advance academically and professionally.
—Michael, RTS Scholar - USC '22

RTS has changed my whole trajectory of my life. They are all supportive and welcoming they're there to support you and help you get where you want to be.
—Aster, RTS Scholar - CSUN '22

The RTS community and mentorship means so much to me, and I don't think I could have ever done this without your support!
— Maripau, RTS Alumna - UCLA '20

As a single mom attending college, I usually work just to pay the bills. But RTS is helping me gain the right type of experience through internships that will help me build a career, not just hold down a job. I know I’m on my way to creating a stable and meaningful life for me and my son.
—Carmen, RTS Scholar, USC ‘19

Thank you for making my college experience one of a kind. You created opportunities for me that I once thought would never come true. And within one month of graduation, you helped me get my dream job at HBO.
—Ashtyn, RTS Alumna - Cal Poly '18

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RTS empowers foster and first generation college students to graduate college, launch successful careers, and reach their full potential.