Middle School College Education Nights

I have pretty much finished everything for my Summer Activity Program. Wildlife Safari is going to come and present about smart pet choices. They will be bringing an alligator, bearded dragon, ferret and a snake, etc. Fish and Wildlife will be bring animal pelts and donating birdhouse kits. The Sheriff's department is supposed to send a deputy and the McGruff Crime Dog.

Right now, I'm working on getting my pocket resource guide out in our lobby and stocked up for the Day of Sharing and Homeless Count later this year/next year. I will be working on these two HUGE events, so pretty soon I will be slammed with work!

Until then, I will be developing informational sessions for parents and middle school (and high school) students about college as a viable option after graduation. I will also present about other options such as vocational schools, AmeriCorps, and non Bachelor degree options. My hope is that they will start to believe that college is an option, that they can get out of their situation. After all, 69% of those living below the poverty line have a HS education or less. Those with a bachelor's degree will make 316% more than those without a HS degree, and will make ~$2.1 million in their lifetime (in 2006 dollars based on 2005 data -- so probably much more).

My hope is to have my first session in late August, as a "Welcome Back" shindig. Hopefully we have some interest from the clients we serve.

Frigi-Dare Jump of Death

This is what my co-workers do on the weekends. We were raising money for our Refrigerator Replacement Program, which offers low-income clients new energy efficient refrigerators at little or no cost. Half the proceeds from the event went to this cause.