Program Overview / History

Great Expectations launched in fall 2008 at five Virginia Community Colleges, each of which received a grant to pilot components of the program. Since then, the program has continued to expand to other community colleges across the commonwealth. Our goal is for Great Expectations to be available and easily accessible for all foster youth in Virginia.

Great Expectations helps Virginia’s foster youth complete high school, gain access to a community college education and transition successfully from the foster care system to living independently. The program complements Virginia’s For Keeps initiative, which helps ensure that young people have the personal connections and community support they need to live productive and fulfilling lives. Key components include:

• Individualized tutoring
• Help applying for college admission and financial aid
• Career exploration and coaching
• Help applying for and keeping a job
• Life skills training, including managing finances
• Personalized counseling
• Student mentors

Want to learn more about how Great Expectations works? Check out the programs at Germanna Community College or J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.

Interested in keeping up with Great Expectations and its students’ achievements? Sign up to receive more information on the Great Expectations program.