(Community Matters) I’d been hearing about College Forward for a couple of years but had never been introduced to the organization or its founder, Lisa Fielder. They provide college preparatory services to motivated, economically-disadvantaged students, in order to facilitate their transition to college and make the process exciting and rewarding.
College Forward Manager Renato Ramaciotti giving a tour
Met many on the College Forward team at Lehman High School in Kyle, Tx yesterday. We were hosted by Principal Elsa Hinojosa.
They hire AmeriCorp members (young adults not too far from high school age) to mentor low and moderate income students toward college. We toured a class of juniors and a class of seniors, only one student’s parents had attended college. The mentors greatly increase the knowledge and perspectives of these overwhelmingly first-generation, prospective college applicants. They teach them about the ACT/SAT, providing practice sessions and even organizing test days. Provide counseling on colleges, majors and financial aid – extraordinary services, especially for kids coming from families ill-equipped to advise. I met seniors going to Stanford, Holyke, Texas State, UT and other campuses. Most received multiple offers.
I was struck by how helpful this kind of assistance would have been to me when I was growing up. I didn’t know not to go out partying (homecoming) the night before my SAT. Nor was I equipped to weigh college acceptance offers. It’s harder on first generation students than many suspect; we simply try to put on a good face. Too many of my contemporaries never even tried for college, never imagined it was even an option. College Forward has good track record working with this population. They even provide college retention support. I am impressed with what I saw of the organization.
Community Matters 