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Despite a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, First Star Kent State Academy not only survived but thrived due to the power and passion of the program’s members. In addition to transitioning remarkably well, it also gave its students a summer and school year to remember.

First Star Kent State Academy is a free, comprehensive four-year college access program for youth in foster care. The program engages a cohort of up to 30 students in a variety of learning opportunities, including academic support, career exploration, social and cultural activities and more.

“We have in-person activities here on campus, as well as in the Cuyahoga County and Cleveland area which are the students’ local communities,” Academy Director Danielle Green-Welch said.

The national organization provides a broad framework that is passed down to the local academies, but the majority of the curriculum is left up to each academy. When Green-Welch came to ������ in November 2019, she had to create the majority of the program from scratch.

“The pandemic changed how we operated, like our four-week summer academy had to be completely virtual, but for me that transition was a lot easier because I didn't have a prior point of reference,” she said. “I have a background in education as well as experience from Cuyahoga County’s Division of Children and Family Services, so it was really easy to come up with creative ideas.”

This time period wasn’t totally virtual. First Star Kent State Academy was able to interact with their students while being physically distant.

“Last December, I put together holiday care packages with some different items. My family and I drove from Cleveland to Massillon, and points in between, on a Saturday and delivered these care packages,” Green-Welch said. ”I was only able to see my scholars from porches, but it was a chance to see them and let them know how much I appreciated being a part of their journey.”

Most students were already doing all-day virtual classes for school, so Green-Welch didn’t want to make academy lessons heavy and lecture intensive. First Star Academy continued this virtual format until it started a hybrid model in the summer of 2021.

“For one or two days a week during our four-week 2021 Summer Academy we saw our students on campus, we were virtual for a few hours on the other days,,” she said. “My staff and I just wanted to see them and give them fist bumps and high fives.”

Over the summer, First Star Academy hired a facilitator for its caregiver support group. This program allows the organization to provide support and encourage permanency for first star scholars, caregivers, foster parents and in some cases their grandparents or other relatives.

Seniors in the program were also able to participate in the Academy’s first capstone project. For eight weeks, students worked with a community organization and built skills and opportunities that translate to the real world, then received a paid stipend at the end of the program.

“We definitely are going to continue this going into the next year, and are preparing and identifying some additional community organizations we can work with,” Green-Welch said.

As Kent State slowly returns to a school year that resembles pre-pandemic times, First Star Kent State Academy has begun to imagine new programs.

“We're looking to move into next semester by having a monthly virtual cooking class. They'll get an Instacart order and have a chef working with them to guide them through making a meal,” Green-Welch said.

Despite a global pandemic, First Star has continued to help local youth impacted by foster care learn skills and lessons they can practically use throughout adulthood. As time progresses, Academy Director Green-Welch is expanding the opportunities her young scholars have access to.

“The best part of this position for me is the chance to help improve the trajectory of our scholars, while being a part of their journey,” she said.

To learn more about First Star Kent State Academy, visit www.kent.edu/first-star.