The Thru Project

Speaker bio:

Courtney brings over twenty years of nonprofit experience to the THRU Project team. She has worked for national organizations such as the United Way and CASA as well as grassroots organizations specializing in teen counseling, shelter for foster youth and mentoring. She graduated from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and went on to earn a Master in Public Administration (MPA) from Northern Illinois University. Courtney’s commitment to the fundraising profession led her to become a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) in 2020.

Courtney grew up near Chicago and discovered the joy of giving back at an early age. Her desire to help others reach their full potential has been a guiding force throughout her career. She and her husband moved to San Antonio with their three children in 2015. Courtney serves on the boards of Impact San Antonio and the San Antonio chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

The program will be about how to help less fortunate "aging out" foster students wanting to go to college.

The Thru Project is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting San Antonio & surrounding area foster youth as they age out of the foster care system. These youth are often alone with no adult to guide them through this critical time of transition. Aging out of the foster care system puts youth at an incredible disadvantage with huge obstacles to their success. THRU Project works side by side with foster youth to remove those obstacles which allow foster youth to be independent and realize their true potential. Our mission is:

We recruit and train adult volunteers to serve as Mentors and then match adults with youth for one-on-one mentorship. We offer the life skills training that many have never received; we help them get a job, apply for college, set up their first apartment and navigate their finances.