A Builder Of Dreams

By Robert J. Hansen | OBSERVER Staff Writer Two Sacramento State students were sharing their stories about being foster youth when the marching band began playing and United Way surprised them and eight other students with a $60,000 check at the United Way’s “United in Purpose Gala” at Memorial Auditorium on April 20. Ten Sac State students, all in attendance and participants in Sacramento State’s Guardian Scholars Program for former foster youth, will receive $500 a month of guaranteed income for 12 months beginning in May through the United Way California Capital Region’s new collegiate guaranteed income program. Jaliyah Dramera, 29, one of the former foster youth who was on stage, said she felt blessed and that a lot of foster youth don’t feel that from many people. “I’m going to use these funds to pay for groceries because they’re expensive, and to fix my car because I need it to get to school,” Dramera said. “It will also help me pay for classes for next semester.” Deja Douglas, 22, said the money will help alleviate the stress of paying rent and food, and driving an hour from Amador County to school while she studies psychology at Sac State. “The...