College Bound Program Launches Fundraising Drive For Under-Served Teens
DC Area Non-Profit Celebrating Its 25th Year of Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As the new school year begins, another class of graduates from DC's renowned College Bound program is entering college, thanks to the mentoring and guidance of local volunteer professionals.
College Bound, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., celebrates its 25th anniversary this fall. The program prepares under-served high school students for college without the use of public funds.
As part of its 25th anniversary, College Bound is launching a pledge drive for much-needed tax-deductible contributions to help provide college scholarships, books and training materials for hundreds of students now in the program.
"We are serving a record number of students this year and they need our support," said former D.C. school teacher Kenneth Ward, the Executive Director of College Bound. "No other charitable organization does the amount of work we do and achieves the kind of results we do for students, their parents and the entire community."
Regarded as one of the DC area's most effective charitable organizations, College Bound boasts a 100% high-school graduation rate and 100% college acceptance rate. Each year, the program serves more than 170 students who commit to meeting weekly with volunteer mentors for study and guidance that continues through their enrollment in college. Four years ago, Ward secured a grant of $100,000 from Many Hands to establish a Virtual Mentoring Program that supports College Bound Alumni through college degree completion.
"College Bound has challenged me to grow into an adult," said Monet, a participant in the program and a freshman at Savannah State University. "Even though they have my back, they push me to be independent and capable of advocating for myself. They have helped me to identify and develop my leadership skills."
Ward notes that while College Bound provides direction and a meaningful future for students, the DC-area community also benefits greatly from the program.
"Our mentored students are more likely to participate in extracurricular activities, have better relationships with adults, and are less likely to start using illegal drugs or committing crimes," Ward said. "When you look at the facts, mentoring programs are now essential not only for our educational system, but for our urban community as well."
To learn more about College Bound, or to volunteer as a mentor and/or contribute to the program, please visit www.collegebound.org
SOURCE College Bound
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