Creating a path to college for high-poverty Carolina students

When the coronavirus crisis hit Charlotte, the United Way of Central Carolinas and Foundation For The Carolinas partnered to launch the COVID-19 Response Fund.

The fund supports a range of nonprofits, assisting people most badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Importantly, this fund will help not just people who get sick, but also those who are economically impacted, such as families of students who cannot afford educational materials and supplies needed for remote learning.

One of the grant recipients was Project One, which received $10,000 to provide mentoring support, scholarships and programs to help Mecklenburg County students enroll and persist in college.

Project One’s mission is to create a path to and through college for students from under-resourced, single-parent families whose household income is at or below 200% of the poverty line.

“We believe the resources we provide are especially urgent in this time of uncertainty, as our mentoring and education programs could truly determine whether or not a student continues his or her college education,” said Jenene Seymour, executive director of Project One.

Through holistic programming, the organization offers 4-year college scholarships of up to $25,000, structured mentoring, financial literacy education, personal development and career readiness services.

“Research shows that students from high-poverty backgrounds are more likely to complete college when they receive financial assistance, as well as structured social and academic support,” Seymour said. “Our scholars receive both the funding and comprehensive support they need to earn a bachelor’s degree with little or no debt, while also acquiring knowledge and skills to effectively manage money for short- and long-term economic stability.”

The organization believes its resources are critical for students during the pandemic, because they could be the determining factor of whether or not a student can pursue or continue their college education.

“Our organization needs funding to continue operations and programs to support our scholars for the 2020-2021 academic year and beyond,” Seymour said. “We must also continue to support schools and programs that are working diligently to educate children and youth during these challenging times.”

Project One is among many organizations working to improve the quality of education.

Since 1997, in partnership with Classroom Central and Communities in Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, the WSOC-TV 9 School Tools program has collected school supplies, which are then distributed free to students in grades K-12.

For many families, home needs sometimes outweigh needs at school. When a family must choose between buying enough food for dinner or paying the power bill, the pressure of purchasing school supplies is an added expense that families can’t afford.

CLICK HERE TO FIND A DONATION LOCATION NEAR YOU.

A 9 School Tools financial donation program is in place with different levels of giving that will support the needs of Classroom Central. Donors can equate their monetary donation to what can be supplied by Classroom Central.

Here are some of the giving levels:

• A donation of $9 will help provide homework supplies for students.
• A donation of $25 will help fill a student’s backpack with school supplies.
• A donation of $50 will supply a teacher with essential school items.
• A donation of $100 will supply an entire class with STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) kits.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION TO CLASSROOM CENTRAL AND 9 SCHOOL TOOLS.

Learn more about 9 School Tools at www.9SchoolTools.com.

If you have an inspiring story to share, email Sinead Taylor, WSOC-TV community affairs specialist, at Sinead.Taylor@wsoc-tv.com.

Cox Media Group