SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Superior Court and other groups and agencies are sponsoring an event Saturday to encourage foster youth to think about college as a realistic option.

The free event, titled "I Can Go to College," will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hahn University Center on the campus of the University of San Diego.

The program is open to dependents, 12 years old and up, who reside in foster/kinship homes or with non-relative extended family members. It is estimated that 550 young people fit into that description in San Diego County.

"I broached the idea for this event with the other agencies because too often foster youth have very limited visions for their future," said Presiding Juvenile Court Judge Susan D. Huguenor.

"We want them to know that we view them as capable of attending college," she said. "By including caregivers in the program, we hope that the message can be reinforced in the home."

Foster youth will get answers to questions about college, take a tour of the campus and see a dorm room. They will also meet with representatives from local community colleges and universities and listen to a panel of former foster youth who will share their college experiences.

The event is sponsored by the Commission on Children, Youth and Families with support by Child Welfare Services; San Diego County Office of Education- Foster Youth Services; Cal-SOAP; Grossmont College-FAKCE; Casey Family Programs; the San Diego Juvenile Court; the University of San Diego Center for Community Service Learning; and United Parcel Service.

Registration for the event begins at 8:30 a.m. Free parking is available in the Mission Parking structure.