For students who age out of foster care, homelessness can be a legitimate worry.

A program at Piedmont Virginia Community College called Great Expectations helps lead them to a less-Dickensian life.

The program helps students ages 13 to 24.

Our program is really targeted to the students who have been in foster care or independent living, so when I work with them, I give them a lot of coaching, I give them a lot of advising, said Constance Cromartie, the programs director. Its pretty much a little more intense.

That help includes assistance registering for classes, organizing schedules and getting access to resources, including the schools learning center.

Maria Chapman, 19, went to high school in Louisa County and opted to attend PVCC rather than Norfolk State University.

She said she definitely considered the program when making her decision.

Youre faced with a lot of challenges really, really early, Chapman said.

Chapman plans to transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University to study social work.

She attributes much of her success to God and to her foster mother. Chapman said her definition of success has shifted as shes participated in the program. Shes now aiming for more than material fulfillment, she said.

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PVCC program helps former foster care students