College of St Joseph receives $50,000 grant for STEPS
College of St. Joseph is excited to announce it has received a $50,000 grant from Community Funds, Inc.–The John Merck Fund to assist with the College’s STEPS (Students Taking an Effective Path to Success) program. STEPS is a unique program designed specifically to meet the needs of Vermont foster youth transitioning to college. This is the second year of the College’s pilot program in which six students are presently enrolled–three sophomores and three freshmen.The faculty, staff, and trustees of College of St. Joseph are committed to the STEPS project on every level. College President, Dr. Frank Miglorie, who developed plans for the program said, “CSJ administrators, faculty, and I saw a clear connection between helping Vermont foster youth transition to higher education and the College’s mission.” Miglorie continued by saying, “Without CSJ taking a role in helping these young people, they might otherwise have little hope of pursuing a college education or developing a worthwhile career path. The STEPS program can truly make a difference in their lives.”The College is grateful to the John Merck Fund for recognizing the importance of this program and for the philanthropic support they have provided to the STEPS program at College of St. Joseph. These funds, along with a challenge grant from the J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation, the Vermont Country Store Foundation, and the Jane B. Cook 1983 Charitable Trust will help keep this important program thriving. The STEPS program at CSJ is the first of its kind in New England and the hope is, with its success, other states will recognize it as a model on which to base other programs to better serve the needs of foster youth throughout the nation.Source: CSJ. 2.1.2010