It is a very sad statistic that nationally less than 4% of young adult former foster youth attain any kind of a degree or job certification, compared to 30% in the non-foster care population . Currently we have several youth in our mentoring program who are attending community colleges part-time while also holding a job. We identified a need to focus on their financial stability in order for them to be able to continue with their schooling and reach their educational goals. A year and a half ago we started a division of Partnership 4 Hope we call “The Cole French Educational Support Fund.” This fund focuses on helping support financial emergencies the youth may have and helps them to stay in school. These emergency funds do make a huge difference.

During his college experience, Cole French received academic support from The Omaha Home for Boys scholarship program.  He graduated from Bellevue University majoring in social work and became a case manager at OHB’s Branching Out Independent Living Program.  He was a very dedicated case manager who was respected by his peers and clients.   

Cole French is no longer with us today, but his spirit of helping still remains. Cole was an advocate of education for young adults and would have supported the financial efforts of Partnership 4 Hope to see them succeed.