This grant honors Bernie and Sue Dondiego, both of whom are founding members and past presidents of FAFS. They have been dynamic child advocates for almost a half-century. During this time, they fostered 38 children. They continue to be actively involved by serving on several FAFS committees. Sue and Bernie’s invaluable services continue to aid FAFS in achieving its mission to improve the lives of our children.

Purpose: To create an opportunity for a young person to succeed in the next phase of his/her life. This might include higher education, additional training, trade school, vocational school, and/or independent living.

Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2012 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services. Download the Bernard and Sue Dondiego Opportunity Grant application

Hattie Talley was one of the founding members of Foster and Adoptive Family Services and the first President of FAFS (formerly the New Jersey Foster Parents Association). As an adoptive, biological, and foster parent, Ms. Talley personified the caring, nurturing spirit that enables resource parents to open their hearts and homes to New Jersey’s most vulnerable children.

Purpose: To create an opportunity for a young person to succeed in the next phase of his/her life. This might include additional training, trade school, vocational school, and/or independent living.

Eligibility: The applicant must either be a high school senior graduating, or a person receiving his/her GED equivalent, in 2012 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services. Download the Hattie Talley Opportunity Grant application

In addition to being a loving husband, father and grandfather, Angelo Ferlauto was also a caring foster parent. Angelo loved to play and spend time with all of his children. In 1999, the Ferlautos received the award for Outstanding Foster Family of the Year. Angelo passed away on June 4, 2006. In his memory, the Ferlautos have started the Angelo Ferlauto Memorial Academic Scholarship. They hope to give youth that are, or were, in foster/adoptive care the opportunity to continue a post-secondary education.

Purpose: To recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, or junior college.

Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2011 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services. Please check back in January 2012 for application.

Nachi Franco dedicated her life to children in care until her untimely death after an illness in the summer of 2000. Nachi contributed significantly to the success of the DYFS Foster Administrative Unit from its inception, recruiting and training resource families throughout Passaic County. She showed genuine compassion for children and their families and passed this kindness on to the many people she mentored. She had a celebrated faith in diversity, and her dedication and leadership abilities allowed her to touch the hearts of many.

Purpose: To create an opportunity for a young person to succeed in the next phase of his/her life. This might include higher education, additional training, trade school, vocational school, and/or independent living.

Eligibility: The applicant must either be a high school senior graduating, or a person receiving their GED equivalent, in 2012 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services. Download the Nachi Franco Memorial Opportunity Grant application

Jane was a kind and compassionate woman who loved her family and friends. She was always ready to lend a helping hand, and she touched the lives of many. Although Jane never attended college, she was a successful business woman who greatly valued education. Jane passed away in 1997 and her family and friends thought it was fitting to honor her with this academic scholarship. We hope that this scholarship enables the young person who receives it to enrich his/her life by continuing his/her education.

Purpose: To recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, or junior college.

Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2012 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services. Download the Jane Q. Goula Memorial Academic Scholarship application

The Have A Heart Academic Scholarship was established to celebrate the foster or adoptive youth with the strength, courage and dedication to change the world with the power of education.

Purpose: To recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, or junior college.

Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2012 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services. Download the Have a Heart Academic Scholarship application

For five years, Rosemarie Hill served her community as a foster mother. During that time, she cared for 30 children, ranging from four-year-olds to teenagers. Rosemarie was a certified daycare provider for 4c’s and cared for children in many difficult circumstances. She helped pregnant teenagers, maintained contact with former children in care, and even won an award from DYFS for her work with a young boy with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: To recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, or junior college.

Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2012 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services. Download the Rosemarie Hill Academic Scholarship application

Paul showed love and compassion to everyone he met. After serving in Korea in 1952, Paul became a basketball and baseball official. Paul dedicated his life and service to others by teaching young people not only the skills of basketball and baseball, but the skills necessary to live a purpose-filled life. Paul was always present with a helping hand, reaching out to family, friends, and anyone in need. Paul died February 8, 2001, leaving a legacy of compassion and caring to all lives he touched.

Purpose: To recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, junior college, or vocational/trade school.

Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2012 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services. Download the Paul Hinton Academic Scholarship application

Stanley Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is located in Chatham, New Jersey. They are a Protestant church democratically governed by their members, working ecumenically to establish justice and peace for all people. They are a church with a rich history of progressive thought and action. A strong mission of outreach to the socially and economically disenfranchised is central to their ministry. They are proud to sponsor this academic grant, through their Outreach Department, to give youth who are, or were, in foster care the chance to succeed in the next phase of their lives.

Purpose: To recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, or junior college.

Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2012 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services. Download the Stanley Congregational Church, UCC, Outreach Academic Scholarship application

Stanley Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is located in Chatham, New Jersey. They are a Protestant church democratically governed by their members, working ecumenically to establish justice and peace for all people. They are a church with a rich history of progressive thought and action. A strong mission of outreach to the socially and economically disenfranchised is central to their ministry. They are proud to sponsor this opportunity grant, through their Outreach Department, to give youth who are, or were, in foster care the chance to succeed in the next phase of their lives.

Purpose: To create an opportunity for a young person to succeed in the next phase of his/her life. This might include higher education, additional training, trade school, vocational school, and/or independent living.

Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2012 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services. Download the Stanley Congregational Church, UCC, Outreach Opportunity Grant application

The Tommy Vitale Memorial Foundation was formed when the family lost Tommy in a tragic motorcycle accident in 2004 at 29 years of age. Tommy personified the meaning of the words ‘perseverance”, “integrity” and “honor” and was a loving son, brother and friend.

" In our wish to keep his memory alive, we have chosen FAFS because these young adults understand what it takes to persevere in life and hope they will make a lasting impact on society because of their life experiences. We wish them the very best and are proud to sponsor this grant." — The Vitale Family

Purpose: To create an opportunity for a young person to succeed in the next phase of his/her life. This might include higher education, additional training, trade school, vocational school, and/or independent living.

Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2012 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services. Download the Tommy Vitale Memorial Foundation Opportunity Grant application

The Teresa Ziegelhofer Memorial Academic Scholarship was formed when a beloved member of the Ziegelhofer family, Teresa, was taken from them in May 2008, at the age of 30. The Ziegelhofer family had the good fortune of taking in Teresa as a foster child and later adopting her into the family. Teresa did not take the educational opportunities available to her after high school and learned later on in her life the importance of a good education. She came to believe that an education was vital in becoming the best person one could be. At the time of her death, she was pursuing her lifelong dream of achieving an associate’s degree. The family knows that Teresa is smiling in heaven watching another “chosen” individual become the recipient of this fine scholarship, so that he/she can pursue the dream that she could not fulfill.

Purpose: To recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, or junior college.

Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2012 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services. Download the Teresa Ziegelhofer Memorial Academic Scholarship application