WISH: What Inspires
Students’ Hearts

What Inspires You?

Dream big and reach your goals.  WISH provides grants up to $400 to offset the cost of activities associated with educational and enrichment goals.

Woman playing a guitar in a music store with guitars hanging on the wall.

About the WISH Program

The WISH Program (What Inspires Students’ Hearts) helps youth in foster care attend camps, participate in sports, and engage in extracurricular and enrichment activities.

Eligibility

  • The WISH program serves youth ages 5 & up who have an open ODHS/DCYF Child Welfare case, receiving ILP services, or finalized Guardianship status within the last 3 years.

  • Youth who show a continued commitment to the same activity, can submit a one-time request for a renewal of funding during the same calendar year.

  • WISH does not reimburse for activities already completed.

WISH request categories

  1. Education: tutoring, laptops, learning tools, college needs, etc.

  2. Enrichment: camps, extra-curricular activities, sports, music or art lessons, etc.

  3. Overall self-esteem: cultural connection, specialty clothing, therapeutic needs, self-expression, etc.

Requests that will not be approved under the WISH program include, but are not limited to; toys, furniture, cell phones, large equipment (ie: trampolines), gaming systems, utility payments, travel-related expenses, and car repairs.  We are also unable to approve clothing and shoes that would be found regularly at the Project Lemonade store. 


  • Submit a WISH

    To apply, complete the application form using the link below.

    APPLY NOW

WISH Program FAQs

Can’t find answers to your questions? We’re here to help. Contact Kelly Saavedra at wish@projectlemonadepdx.org

  • Once per calendar year.

    Note: Youth who show continued commitment to the same activity can submit a one time request for a renewal of funding.

  • The WISH review committee meets bi-monthly to review applications; please submit your application 3-4 weeks prior to a funding deadline.  For urgent requests please email wish@projectlemonadepdx.org

  • The WISH review committee will respond to every application with a decision of either Approved, Denied, or Needs Additional Information.

  • Project Lemonade must pay directly to the vendor and can not reimburse for payments already made.

  • Yes, verification of the case status will be conducted upon receiving the application.  If WISH program staff is unable to verify the youths’ status with ODHS, a copy of the placement letter or Guardianship court order will be requested from the applicant.  At this time youth involved in a CPS Assessment or finalized adoptions are not be eligible for WISH program funding.