Student Outreach Services' Passport Dinner a huge success

The Passport to College Promise Scholarship Program, located within Student Outreach Services (SOS), hosted a dinner on Thursday, Oct. 25 in VU 565. The Passport program serves those who are in, or have experienced, foster care and are pursuing college. Less than 10 percent of foster youth graduate from college, therefore this program is set up to provide additional support and encourage continuing participation in one’s education. Passport scholars are offered a Passport Navigator, who peer mentors them in resourcing and overall college life.

This event was set with the intention to welcome new and returning students into the program, share a meal, meet their team of support staff, and begin friendships with other scholars. Following the dinner, Jennifer Gildner, a counselor from Prevention and Wellness Services (PWS), provided a short presentation about self-care – which included a fun activity with leaves and an opportunity to practice mindfulness.

The Welcome to Passport Dinner was a heartwarming evening full of laughs, connection, and good food!

To learn more about the Passport to College Promise Scholarship Program, contact the Passport Navigator, Xana Gilman at Gilmana2@wwu.edu or visit https://wp.wwu.edu/sos/foster-youth/.