In foster care, Kenyon Whitman changed families a half-dozen times before settling down with someone he now calls his grandmother.

That carousel of foster care could have destroyed any college ambition. But Whitman found another home at California State University, Fresno, where a program supports former foster youths and guarantees them a place to stay -- even during the holidays.

Whitman, 22, is one of 33 students in the Renaissance Scholars Program. The grant-funded program caters to the academic, financial and emotional needs of former foster youths.

Some experienced neglect or abuse. Some saw mom or dad lose a battle to drugs. Others were cast into foster care when one or both parents died.

Fresno State's program rolls out safety nets -- including an offer of year-round housing on campus -- along with an anchor of stability.

Jazzman (pronounced Jasmine) Hester, a junior, is one of the handful of Renaissance students living on campus. Over breaks, when the dining hall is closed, the program provides grocery store gift cards and bus passes to ensure students have something to eat.

Tuesday, Hester was among the last to leave the ghost town of dorms that quickly emptied after fall semester finals.

Hester, 20, packed up and headed for Bakersfield to spend the holidays with her aunt. She'd already celebrated with Renaissance peers at a party with Christmas stockings, donated gifts and "Jeopardy"-style competition.

"We are like a family," she said.

That's a carefully cultivated concept in the program run by a former foster child. Coordinator Kizzy Lopez knows the challenges after spending several years in foster care and then struggling to find her footing in college.

Lopez still keeps a copy of college transcripts -- with C's, D's and F's -- at her desk to show students that success is possible. She's already earned bachelor's and master's degrees and now is pursuing a doctorate.

Lopez began developing the Renaissance program a few years ago after first volunteering as a counselor intern in the Educational Opportunity Program, which serves disadvantaged and low-income students. She was hired as a counselor after one semester.

Campus officials embraced the Renaissance concept. Lopez worked up a plan and several grant applications after talking to experts and studying similar programs, including those at Cal State Fullerton and San Francisco State.

Today, the Fresno State program -- now in its second year -- is funded for three years with $480,000 in grants from the Walter S. Johnson Foundation and the California Wellness Foundation. It provides a variety of services such as academic monitoring, counseling, stipends and other help.

For example, Lopez maintains an emergency fund because most students don't have anyone to ask for extra cash. She's used it to fix broken eyeglasses and pay off car repairs for a student working a graveyard shift.

The program is competitive. Prospective students must apply, submit letters of recommendation and write a personal statement. Officials look for academic potential rather than rely on past grades, but students still must explain poor performance.

"If you moved eight times during high school, that gives us some idea," Lopez said.

The first year, Lopez tapped into county and school sources to recruit. She also found students at Fresno State who had identified themselves as foster youths in financial aid and other forms.

Six freshmen washed out after failing to complete remedial course work. Two seniors participated in May graduation ceremonies.