Maria and José Lozano Rojas, siblings who were raised in the foster care system, are pursuing careers that leverage two important skills they honed as foster teens – advocacy and caregiving.
Both Maria and José were selected as Petersen Scholars in the fall of 2022. The Petersen Scholars Program, administered by the Pasadena Community Foundation, is a scholarship program for former foster youth who are pursuing higher education. The program provides financial support, mentorship, and other resources to help scholars succeed in college and beyond.
The Lozano siblings say that the Petersen Scholars Program has been a huge help to them. The financial support has allowed them to focus on their studies, and the mentorship has helped them navigate the challenges of college and life after foster care.
Maria, 22, is a Certified Nursing Assistant who is working towards her nursing degree at Pasadena City College. She hopes to become a registered nurse and get a master’s degree in nursing. Her goal is to transfer to San José State University.
José, 21, recently graduated from Pasadena City College with a major in criminal justice. He will enroll at Cal State Long Beach this fall. He plans to use his degree to advocate for people who don’t know their rights or help those who had difficult childhood experiences that caused them to get in trouble.
“The Petersen Scholars Program has been a blessing,” said Maria. “I am proud that I go to college. I am proud that I am educated.”
“I would love to use my degree to advocate for people who don’t know their rights or help those who had difficult childhood experiences that caused them to get in trouble,” said José.
The Lozano siblings are an inspiration to others who are pursuing their dreams after foster care. They are proof that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
The Petersen Scholars Program was founded in 2022 by the Pasadena Community Foundation. The program provides financial support, mentorship, and other resources to help scholars succeed in college and beyond.
The Petersen Scholars Program is named after Robert and Margie Petersen, who have been longtime supporters of the Pasadena Community Foundation. The Petersens had a deep commitment to helping young people succeed, and they believed that education is the key to a better future.
The Petersen Scholars Program is a valuable resource for former foster youth who are pursuing higher education. The program provides financial support, mentorship, and other resources that can help scholars succeed in college and beyond.
If you are a former foster youth who is interested in applying for the Petersen Scholars Program, please visit the Pasadena Community Foundation website for more information.
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