“It’s estimated that only 3% of former foster youth who enroll in college will graduate. Through this program, we hope to significantly increase that percentage," said Pedro Ramos of the Philadelphia Foundation, which will administer the grants.

Over a decade ago, District Attorney Lynne Abraham and Assistant D.A. David Castro were working in some of Philadelphia’s most distressed neighborhoods to resolve community problems. In 1995, the two decided to create a nonprofit, I-LEAD, to promote grassroots community leadership efforts by delivering leadership training and technical assistance in 16 cities across the state. […]