Welcome basket items sought for Seita students

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University will welcome its seventh class of Seita Scholars this fall, and many of these students, who have aged out of the foster care system, will arrive without basic items to help make their school year successful.

The Seita Scholars program is collecting new items for welcome packs for these students and is in need of essential living and personal health care products. The goal is to have enough items for more than 40 baskets by Friday, Aug. 8. Former foster youth who qualify for the program, which offers a full tuition scholarship and provides campus housing during breaks as well as other support services, will receive these baskets when they move into the residence halls in late August.

A list of items needed, including personal care, school and residence hall supplies and financial assistance, is at wmich.edu/fosteringsuccess/Giving/seita-welcome-flyer.pdf.

The drop-off site for donated items is Harrison Hall in Goldsworth Valley.

Receiving dates and times for donations

• Monday, July 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 15, 5 to 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 23, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursday, July 31, 5 to 6 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 8, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Seita Scholars program

The program is named for Dr. John Seita, a three-time WMU alumnus who is a nationally known advocate for foster-care youth.

For more information, contact the program office at seita-scholars@wmich.edu.