| Quotes of the Month |
"I was overwhelmed. I didn't know what it took to go to college. But I was ready to embark on this new journey that I always dreamt about. I just didn't know what it took to get there."
~Shanima Parker, First-year student at Bennett College
"Reach for College! has been an invaluable resource for my students, almost all of whom aspire to attend college, but lack the financial means to support them and the family experience to assist them. This organization has helped my students in so many ways as they embark upon the daunting task of preparing for college."
~Nancy Puffett, RFC & English teacher at Dunbar High School, 2005-2009 |
| Notes From Recent Publications |
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In high school Reach for College! works to prepare students to be successful in college. Our standards are aligned with college standards.
There is a constant focus in the RFC books and in RFC classes on college-level reading, writing, study and time-management skills.
This type of college-readiness preparation, that RFC is already engaged in, is the focus of many recent reports (such as the one highlighted below) and RFC is in complete support.
"Educators nationwde are becoming increasingly aware that high school diplomas too often leave young adults unprepared for college." There is "movement to reshape K-12 education into an experience that ensures students are ready for college or for careers that increasingly demand college-level skill."
"Those working to align high school and college [standards and work] hope these efforts will encourage college-going and reduce the need for remedial studies once students arrive."
-"The Readiness Agenda, Texas Aligns High School, Entry-Level College Standards"
Septmber 23, 2009 |
| Thank You to Our Funders |
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Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Freddie Mac Foundation
Google Grants
Philip L. Graham Fund
Harman Family Foundation
Hattie M. Strong Foundation
The Herb Block Foundation
Insel Foundation
Richard and Nancy Marriott Foundation
Mystics Foundation
Optimist Club
of Great Falls
DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Prince George's County 'Community First' Fund
USTA Serves
Wachovia Foundation
World Bank Community Connection
Many Individual Donors |
| Help RFC Serve More Students |
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| Greetings!
September means Back-to-School with all the hopes and hard work that can lead to a good academic year. It's a special time at Reach for College! as we watch our graduates leave for college and begin their new endeavors. We proudly report on one of our students here.
This economic climate, which is presenting hardships to so many, is also very challenging for nonprofits such as ours. We have had to cut back on staff and services that many students, including Shanima (below), thought contributed to her success in attaining and being prepared for college. |
Reach for College! Students Go to College Prepared to Succeed
"I love it here! College life is more than I expected it to be. It's like I have a new family."
Shanima Parker, formerly a Dunbar High School student in Washington, D.C., now attends Bennett College in North Carolina.
"I was overwhelmed. I didn't know what it took to go to college," said Shanima Parker. "But I was ready to embark on this new journey that I always dreamt about. I just didn't know what it took to get there." Shanima, now a first-year student at Bennett College, wanted to go to college "to become a more well-rounded person and to be the first in my family to graduate from college. It means a lot to me. It's one of the goals I've set for myself."
Shanima worked hard in high school to achieve her goal to go to college, but still didn't know the exact things she needed to do to get there. "Being part of RFC! really helped me," she said, because "they gave us support and encouragement to get to college." And they provided a lot of other things that helped us with selecting a college, getting all the applications and financial aid forms done, writing essays, and thinking about careers.
The guest speakers RFC provides were very beneficial, according to Shanima. They "broadened my horizons. They showed me college is attainable if you want to do it, you can do it."
And the college visits were "an eye-opener." For instance, Shanima knew nothing of American University, which is in her own hometown. "I didn't know it existed. AU was the most interesting [college visit] because it was in D.C. and you didn't expect it to be so diverse. Before visiting U. VA and AU, we were stuck on HBCU's."
Shanima believed that learning how to write a good paper is the foundation to getting into college and being prepared to do well in college. "Good writing is basic, " she said. "In DCPS there are a lot of things I missed along the way." Having the RFC program focus on essay-writing was very helpful, she believed.
Being in the RFC class with everyone working toward college together was also very helpful. She said she and her classmates "cheered each other on. It was all of us getting into college. We're all trying to make it. Why not help each other along the way?"
Now, in college, it is different than she thought it would be. "College life is more than what I expected it to be. Coming into college, I'd thought that it would be boring and that I would hate it. Now that I'm here I have people greeting me and it's like I have a new family. However, college isn't all about fun. College is completely different from high school. You don't have your parents giving you wake up calls. You can't depend on anyone but yourself. After all, you are the one having to pay for YOUR education. My advice to incoming Freshmen and Freshwomen is to remain determined. Keep that hunger you came into college with, make friends . . . join clubs and groups that can provide you with community service and or great experiences, and chances to network. I wish all my fellow freshwomen and freshmen well!"
How RFC helps students
Reach for College! provides a curriculum of five books to schools for grades 9-12 to make students aware of the benefits of college and to walk them through the steps of the college application process. Last school year the program was provided to over 1,700 students in DC, including public and public charter schools, and to nearly 3,000 students in Prince George's County. Reach for College! trains teachers from the school in how to teach the curriculum and supports the teacher and the school throughout the year with in-class assistance, guest speakers and college tours for the students.
Dunbar RFC teacher Nancy Puffett, who taught Shanima, said, "Reach for College! has been an invaluable resource for my students, almost all of whom aspire to attend college, but lack the financial means to support them and the family experience to assist them. This organization has helped my students in so many ways as they embark upon the daunting task of preparing for college. The program has provided curriculum materials, has scheduled visits, seminars and workshops with professionals from various fields, has arranged college tours, and regularly emails newsletters and timely tips. It is my sincere hope that RFC may maintain and even expand the service that is of such great benefit to the many disadvantaged students who are striving to make their educational and career dreams a reality." |
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RFC Cuts Staff and Services due to Economic Downturn
Number of students served, college visits and Saturday Academy among RFC services cut
With Foundation support running at 2/3 of past funding levels, no new foundation giving, and individual donors giving 1/2 of what they've given in the past, Reach for College!, like many other nonprofits, large and small, has had to cut staff and services in an effort to survive. Last school year, RFC served 4,600 students, but can only serve 3,100 this year. 1,500 students have had be be trimmed from the rolls. Given that 73% of RFC students enroll in college, this cut means that over 600 students are at risk of not attaining college. (Normally, from their schools only 34% go to college.) This is a terrible waste of human potential and future tax revenue from these young people who, with a postsecondary education, would earn better salaries and be creative, positive influences in their communities.
Besides cutting 1,500 students, RFC has also had to cut:
- All college visits
- Saturday Academy
- RFC Partnerships Director who worked to provide the RFC program to after-school programs
- Scholarships--able to provide only one this year, down from ten last year
With a well-managed budget and only 4% administrative costs, RFC is a tight, lean operation focused on the students. It saddens us to have to cut back on the number we serve and on crucial program elements that we know help students get to and stay in college.
Like the rest of the country, we have concerns about the economic climate, but you can help RFC to help young people. How? Get involved. Be a guest speaker, contribute funds for bus transportation for college visits or organize an event to benefit RFC.
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Wishing you a great school year and with hopes for better economic times, we are sincerely,
Deb Insel and Brenda Harvey
Co-Directors |
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