The Blavin Scholars Program

The Blavin Scholars Program provides comprehensive support to students who have experienced foster care, kinship care, and/or compromised family situations through scholarship; one-on-one coaching; mentorship by a U of M Faculty Member or Staff; and access to various resources that are tailored to address the unique needs of Blavin Scholars. With these resources and support in place, this allows our students to maximize their college experience as they pursue their bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan. The Blavin Scholars have a 95% retention rate, and this work is making a difference in the lives of students who have experienced foster care or homelessness.

The Blavin Scholars Program provides access to a supportive network; addresses exposure gaps through teaching life skills; and assists with basic needs all while building upon their academic, professional, and self-sufficiency skills. To date, the Blavin Scholars Program has over 100 graduates! The Blavin Scholars Program continues to be committed to our following mission:

• Supporting Blavin scholars in navigating and maximizing their experience at U-M.
• Developing a supportive network among Blavin scholars and the larger campus.
• Educating Blavin scholars and the community to enhance their academic, professional, and life skills.
• Creating purposeful transitions for Blavin scholars that lead to success in college and career.
• Increasing college access, retention, and graduation among students who experienced foster care.

Below are a list of student experiences, Blavin events, rewarding opportunities that were made possible by previous donor support:

• Study abroad in China, Tanzania, Italy, Cuba, and among other areas.
• Events such as the Blavin Fall Tailgate, Gratitude Dinner, Pizza and Pucks Day, and Spring Commencement that offered opportunities to maintain a sense of belongingness and community amongst our Scholars.
• Opportunities to learn critical life skills such as financial literacy, cooking, interviewing skills, and negotiating job offers during the annual Blavin Life Skills Conference.
• Students receive a move-in basket with basic essential items to start college, a birthday card, a wellness kit to help students during the cold winter season, and access to hats/gloves/scarfs to help our students keep warm during the Winter.
• Test preparation materials to help students prepare for medical school and MBA programs
• Students receive holiday gifts of their choosing and share the holidays/breaks amongst other Blavin Scholars.
• The chance to engage in an average of three hours of annual community service projects by making cards to help uplift children receiving cancer treatment and their families, assist the Michigan Foster Care Closet with organizing their inventory, alleviate food insecurity, attend outreach events with a Campus Coach to inform other students and personnel about our program, and more.
• Access to a consistent supply of needed toiletries, daily living supplies, preferred student food items, and so much more from the Blavin Resource Closet/Blavin Pantry.