FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 21, 2006

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, FOUNDATIONS, CORPORATIONS JOIN FORCES TO SEND CARE PACKAGES TO FORMER FOSTER YOUTH
Event crosses party lines to honor youth who age out of foster care, prepare packages for youth in colleges, universities, and trade schools

Washington, DC – Today on Capitol Hill, members of Congress from both parties joined corporate and non-profit leaders, former foster youth, and volunteers from high-profile national organizations at the Orphan Foundation of America's annual National Care Package Program kickoff event. The gathering celebrated the determination and success of youth who have aged out of the foster care system and are on the difficult road to college, by sending care packages to more than 7,500 former foster youth.

"It is an honor to participate in an event where Republicans and Democrats come together to 'send some care' to these remarkable youth who, despite lacking the encouragement or financial assistance of parents, have taken the impressive step of continuing their education and enrolling in college, university or vocational school," stated Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), a leader on child welfare issues and one of the hosts of the event.

"Letting youth who age out of our nation's foster care system know that there are those who care about them, are thinking about them, and are wishing them all success in their efforts is incredibly important," agreed Representative Wally Herger, (R-CA).

Each year, more than 25,000 youth age of our nation's foster care system. The reality of being 18 and ill-equipped for adulthood leads to bleak statistics: one-fifth will become homeless; one in four incarcerated, and one-third unemployed within a few years of leaving foster care.

"Studies have shown that of the thousands of youth who age out of foster care each year, fewer than fifty percent graduate from high school, and fewer than ten percent go on to post-secondary education or vocational training," explained Eileen McCaffrey, executive director of the Orphan Foundation of America. "OFA created the Care Package Program 14 years ago to provide support and encouragement to former foster youth who take the incredibly challenging step of continuing their education."

Honorary Congressional hosts of the event include a roster of those members most engaged in child welfare reform: Rep. Ben Cardin (D-MD), Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID), Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH), Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), Rep. Melissa Hart (R-PA), Rep. Wally Herger (R-CA), Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-CT), Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA).

Leading corporations and businesses sponsoring the event included: FedEx, the Freddie Mac Foundation, Gifts in Kind International, and Otis Spunkmeyer.

Joining these dedicated organizations and members of Congress in supporting the National Care Package event and program are volunteers from some of the country's most respected national organizations, including: American Association of University Women, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, America's Promise, National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association, National Foster Parent Association, The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Jack and Jill of America, Inc, The Association of Junior Leagues International, Rotary International, Points of Light Foundation, and the Urban League.

"The Foundation is honored to be a part of this wonderful project, which fits into our mission of helping children and youth," said Ralph F. Boyd Jr., Freddie Mac executive vice president of Community Relations and chairman of the Foundation. "We want these young people who have overcome so much and achieved so much to know that we are proud of them and support them every step of the way. These gift packages and notes are one way to show our commitment to them."

"Youth who have outgrown foster care do not have families or homes to call their own," said Gina Adams, corporate vice president for government affairs for FedEx, which donated the delivery of the 7,500 care packages. "Something as small as a care package shows that someone cares, wants them to succeed and most importantly, believes in them." The care packages included backpacks, cookies, gift cards, computer software, linens, and a handwritten note with a message of good wishes and respect from the person who assembled the box.

"Participating in the National Care Package Program, and partnering with corporations, non-profits and community volunteers across the country is an important way to demonstrate that we care about former foster youth, and celebrate their accomplishments and goals," said Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA).

Jayrome Beckers, a criminal justice major at a New York college and 2005 care package recipient said: "I received my care package…everything in it was great and I needed it all, you really made my week. My roommate asked if it was from my family, I proudly said yes."

"We are all proud to participate in this event," stated Senator Hilary Clinton (D-NY), who helped prepare care packages for former foster youth attending college in her state. "It is important that we let former foster youth know that we care."

ABOUT THE ORPHAN FOUNDATION OF AMERICA: OFA advocates for older foster youth who were never adopted and leads the nation in providing a comprehensive scholarship program for these youth. OFA annually administers over $14 million in scholarship and state voucher money to students across the nation. The care package program is just one of many initiatives and programs OFA has created and offers to ensure that young people aging out of the foster care system are encouraged to succeed as adults. For more information on the many ways OFA is helping America's former foster youth, visit www.orphan.org.

ABOUT THE FREDDIE MAC FOUNDATION: Created by Freddie Mac in 1991, the Freddie Mac Foundation is dedicated to creating hope and opportunity for children, youth and their families. It works to strengthen the community by providing funds for various nonprofit organizations serving children and their families, focusing primarily on metropolitan Washington, D.C.—the location of its corporate headquarters. A philanthropic leader, the Foundation has invested nearly $280 million in organizations serving the community and helped better the lives of more than 1.7 million children.