BRIDGING FUTURES SYMPOSIUM

April 18, 2025

Governors State University -  University Park, Illinois

In collaboration with Governors State University’s Counseling and Wellness Center, The Village Project, and The Youth in Care - College Advocate Program (Y-CAP), we invite you to the Bridging Futures Symposium, a transformative event dedicated to empowering foster youth and students experiencing homelessness in their pursuit of higher education. This symposium brings together educators, social workers, policymakers, and individuals with lived experience to examine systemic barriers, highlight effective support programs, advocate for policy reform, and foster collaboration. By strengthening support systems, and promoting equitable opportunities, participants will gain actionable strategies, expand their professional networks, and access to a digital repository of resources.

 Mark your calendars and stay tuned for additional details, including presenters, session topics, and registration information.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Dr. Justin “Jay” Miller
Dean and Dorothy A. Miller Research Professor in Social Work Education 
University of Kentucky

We invite Vendors to the Bridging Futures Symposium.

In collaboration with Governors State University’s Counseling and Wellness Center, the Village Project, and  The Youth in Care - College Advocate Program (Y-CAP), we invite you to the Bridging Futures Symposium, a transformative event dedicated to empowering foster youth and students experiencing homelessness in their pursuit of higher education. Agencies, organizations, and advocates are encouraged to host a vendor table to share resources and connect with students, educators, and fellow advocates.

Contact Sharva Hampton-Campbell at shamcamp@illinois.edu for more information.

Dr. Justin “Jay” Miller is a Dean and Dorothy A. Miller Research Professor in Social Work Education at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Miller is dedicated to a host of social issues and community outreach, a passion that he brings to his work as an educator and scholar. His research and academic interests focus on child welfare and youth involvement in juvenile systems. His work has shaped practice with foster youth and has informed a myriad of policies and practices related to participatory engagement with youth and families. Dr. Miller has practiced in a variety of different contexts at local, state, and federal levels.