Giving
The Road That Led to Grand Valley
Genesis Hollie
Even with determination, starting college was hard. The loss of her biological mother during freshman year made the transition even more difficult. That’s when Grand Valley’s Fostering Laker Success program became essential.
Hollie connected with Brandy Thompson, Fostering Laker Success Grant Coordinator and Independent Living Skills Coach. Thompson checked in weekly and later monthly as Hollie grew more independent. “She was always texting or emailing me, making sure I was keeping up, checking that I had food to eat, making sure I was going to tutoring, helping me set goals for the year,” Hollie said. “She’s basically like a second parent. If you don’t have parents, she’s like a parent to you.”
Thompson’s care made a deep impression. “Maybe this is significant for foster kids, but it’s like the minute that somebody cares – why not try harder?” Hollie said. “When you see somebody putting all this effort into you, it makes you want to get it together.”
That support, paired with scholarship assistance, kept her moving forward. “I don’t think I would have even finished college without it,” she said. “I probably would have dropped out sophomore year, maybe even freshman year. It really helped me wake back up and lock back in.”
John & Cindy Fostering Success Endowed Fund
This fund was created by John and Cindy Shinsky, two former GVSU faculty who have a passion for supporting students who experienced foster care prior to attending higher education.
John Shinsky has served as an educator for 40 years; he came to Grand Valley as an associate professor of education in 2001. He served as a special education teacher, director of Special Education, and area administrator for Lansing Public Schools.
As a former orphan, Shinsky has committed his life to serving the needs of abandoned children. He and his wife were so kind to establish an endowment fund to support foster care youth attending Grand Valley. This fund provides support for student tuition and approved need based support.
**Once you reach the landing page please select John & Cindy Fostering Success Endowed Fund to donate**
“I had no idea how I was going to pay for my books or pay for summer/spring housing, until I talked with my mentor Brandy from Foster Laker Success. This scholarship was a breath of fresh air. It helped me be able to focus on school and not money."
Support FLS
Hear about the many ways to support our students and our program.
Fostering Laker Success Scholarship
Help close the academic and housing gap for foster care youth under the Fostering Laker Success Scholarship Fund
- $1,500 - $3,500 - Closes tuition gap for one student
- $1,500 - $3,500 - Pays for summer housing for one student
- $150 - $300 - Covers the cost of 1 textbook
Donate to Fostering Laker Success Scholarship
**Once you reached the landing site please select Fostering Laker Success Fund**
Fostering Laker Success Fund
The Fostering Laker Success Fund allows us to provide assistance with:
- Rent Assistance
- Automobile repair
- Health Care Cost
- Personal Care Items
- Food
- Bedding
- Graduation Cap and Gowns
- Group Activities
**Once you make it the landing page please selct Fostering Laker Success Fund**
Other Ways to Support FLS
Throughout the year we support our student needs. During the month of July we host Christmas in July donation drive which helps supports our welcome baskets that we provide for both new and returning program particpants. The baskets consist of bath,bedding, cleaning and personal tolitries items for student. The amazon wishlist is updated each year by June 30.
Welcome Basket Needs:
- Bedding: Comforters and Bedding Sheets for Twin XL Bed Sets
- Towels: Face and Body
- Regular & Sensitive: Laundry Detergent
- Body Soap: Regular & Sensitive
- Toothpaste: Regular & Sensitive
- Bathroom Tissue: 4 Roll Set
- Emergency/First Aid Kits
- Gas Card and Food Gift Cards $25
On October 15 of each year, our department begins our Giving Tuesday Holiday care package campain. Our annual holiday care packages were created to assist with basic needs and food security for our students during winter break cosure. The amazon wishlist is updated each year by Octber 5.
Holiday Care Package Items:
- Winter: Hats, scarves, gloves (blue, gray, black Unisex) and socks ( black, gray, white)
- Toiletries: Chapstick, Travel lotions, Travel tissue packs, Travel hand sanitizer, Handwarmer, Toothpaste (Sensitive and Regular), Toothbrush, Bar Body Soap (Ivory and Dove Sensitive)
- Gift cards: $25 Gift Cards (Target or Meijer or Walmart )
- Treats: Hot Coco, Tea, Candy Canes, Chocolates, Gummies, Popcorn, Chips, Cookies
- Food (see wishlist)
- Card Game: Uno, Deck of playing Card, Phase 10