The 2025 Access to Higher Education Summit gave foster youth a day full of inspiration, motivation, and hope for the future. Held as a special field trip, the event took place on a college campus and invited students to explore college life, hear from speakers, and compete for scholarships, medals, and prizes.
This year’s theme was “From Setbacks to Comebacks: Embracing a Fearless Spirit,” which focused on overcoming adversity and staying resilient. The summit was created to help students, especially those in foster care, realize that college is not only possible but also something they can aim for with confidence.
“We wanted to break down the barriers that make college seem out of reach for some students,” one of the organizers shared. “Just stepping on a campus and feeling welcomed can make a huge difference.”
Foster youth often face unique struggles, like switching schools a lot or not having strong support at home. The summit was designed to give them a space where they could feel encouraged, supported, and inspired.
Throughout the day, students went on college tours, attended workshops, and visited a resource fair where they could speak with college representatives and learn more about various paths after high school. There was also a creative competition where students submitted artwork, essays, or portrait designs that reflected the theme.
“We’re looking for real stories, creativity, and passion,” an event judge said. “We want to see how students connect with the theme and share their truth.”
Winners were announced during the keynote session and received medals, gift baskets, and even scholarships to help with their future goals. But for many students, the best part of the day wasn’t the prizes—it was being surrounded by people who believed in them.
One of the biggest highlights was a powerful speech by Dr. John “Push” Gaines, who shared his personal story and encouraged students to stay strong and never give up. His words really hit home for many in the audience.
“I’ve always wanted to give back,” Dr. Gaines stated, ” and it helps me feel like I’m doing something important, inspiring the next generation of youth growing up in foster care. In the end, dreams without goals are just ideas, and if I could just encourage all young people to have a goal, then their dreams can become so much easier to pursue.”
The event wasn’t easy to plan. Organizers had to coordinate transportation, schedule speakers, and make sure every student felt included. But it was all worth it.
“When a student tells us, ‘I didn’t think I could go to college until today,’ that’s when we know we did something right,” a staff member said.
This was the 18th year the A2HE Summit has been held, and the team already plans to bring it back next year. They also hope to include even more students in the future by partnering with more schools and support programs.
