EARLY COLLEGE AWARENESS PROGRAM - April 22nd
OUR CLUB CELEBRATES ELEVENTH YEAR OF THE HARVARD-YONKERS EARLY COLLEGE AWARENESS PROGRAM
The purpose of the program is to target middle school students in need and educate them and their families early (i.e., in eighth grade) about the necessary curricular and financial requirements as well as resources available in high school to help them finance a college education at any college. The program is run by Harvard Clubs around the world in at least forty middle school districts.
Eleven years ago, we were thrilled to bring this idea to Westchester County. With the generous cooperation of the then Yonkers Superintendent of Schools, we organized our first successful event for 25 students. This year, with the continued support of Interim Superintendent Edwin Quezada, we will accommodate 50 eighth graders from Yonkers Middle School and their families.
The event is held on a Saturday morning and begins with a light breakfast during which Harvard alums can talk with the families. The formal program consists of four parts. In Part 1, college students who grew up in the Yonkers community talk with attendees about college life. In Part 2, local financial aid experts explain available sources of funding to pay for a college education. In Part 3, a local high school guidance counselor talks about courses and standardized test requirements for admission into college. In Part 4, two inspirational speakers from the community talk about how important a college education was in shaping their lives and helping them to achieve their goals.
If you are interested in this program or would like to help, please consider attending the event on April 22nd (we would love to see you) or click HERE to make an on-line donation to help finance the Program and breakfast. If you have questions or would like to attend, please contact Club Chair of Community Outreach, Rekha Packer, at rekhapacker@gmail.com.