Childhoods Restored
Sac State tells former foster youth, ‘Welcome home’
By Cecily Hastings
August 2025
I love art openings. But I rarely write a column saying an exhibition can’t be missed.
This one can’t be missed.
It’s a new exhibition at Sacramento State’s Library Gallery, a powerful presentation called “Lost Childhoods.” The collection explores the lives of foster youth in our community.
“Lost Childhoods” features the voices of foster youngsters who share stories of loss, resilience and achievement within the foster care system.
Artifacts, photos and video portraits are displayed. The opening event was sponsored by the Foster Youth Education Fund, which provides financial support to local college students raised in foster care.
I was lucky to grow up in a loving family. I never heard of foster care until moving to Sacramento. I learned about it when Inside published stories on the system.
Foster care is complex. Children are removed from biological families for several reasons, including abuse, neglect and other unsafe conditions. The goal is to provide a safe, stable, supportive environment while working toward long-term solutions.
At age 18, foster youth are emancipated. Some are ready, some not. Most foster youth want to attend college, but only about 3% earn bachelor’s degrees.
In recent years I informally adopted my Goddaughter Aubrey. She was in her mid-20s, raised in an unstable home, abandoned by her parents. Grandparents and foster group homes saved her.
She’s a beautiful, talented young woman with many amazing accomplishments. She gave me a glimpse of what life is like for a young adult without family support. You wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
The Guardian Scholars program at Sac State supports and advocates for current and former foster youth, wards of the court and students. Launched in 2006, it’s the largest foster youth support program in Northern California, serving around 200 students each year.
Sac State President Luke Wood, a former foster youth, has championed Guardian Scholars since his appointment in 2023.
The Foster Youth Education Fund serves Sac State and other regional schools, and helps students with unexpected costs, the extras beyond tuition. Foster kids have a lot to navigate on their own and often very little financial or emotional support to navigate challenging situations.
In 2024 the organization awarded 80 scholarships totaling about $160,000, providing money for books, laptops, housing stipends, transportation, tech access and emergency needs.
The exhibit’s opening included remarks from speakers who oversee the scholarship program and people who received help. Wood spoke from personal experience. He said, “This exhibit is bringing to the forefront and centering on those who’ve experienced foster care. But if you want to talk about a story of resilience, of stories of overcoming incredible obstacles, you want to hear from those who have traversed the foster care system.”
He continued, “I’ve always wanted the university to offer the best service to those who’ve been in foster care out of any institution in the state of California. That is our goal as an institution.
“And then to help us achieve that goal, we put out the Guardian Scholars promise, which is, if you’ve been in foster care, even for one day, and you are CSU eligible, you are guaranteed admission into Sacramento State.”
Wood explained he sees universities use scholarships to compete for athletes and academic achievers.
“I want Sac State to be the institution that competes for foster students,” he said. “We are a place where they’re not
going to feel like they’re guests in someone else’s house, but they’re going to feel like they’re at home.”
Wood concluded, “Because I believe that when a student graduates from Sacramento State, and they have been through the foster care system, there is no one who is better prepared to be a positive force in this world for those who have experienced so much darkness.”
Sac State has an incredible team with Guardian Scholars and the Foster Youth Education Fund working to fulfill President Wood’s goal. Thanks to these programs, an incredible and inspiring group of former foster youth are thriving.
Cecily Hastings can be reached at publisher@insidepublications.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
