UA’s REACH Hosts High-School Students for Pre-College Program

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A select group of high-school students who are living in foster care, have been emancipated recently or are wards of the state will have the opportunity to participate in a pre-collegiate summer program at The University of Alabama through the nsoro Foundation of Atlanta.

More than 40 high-school students will attend a series of college preparation workshops and other activities on campus from Sunday, June 23, to Friday, June 28. The program is a partnership of UA’s Foster Child Initiative, known as Alabama Reach.

“College readiness starts before students step onto a college campus to begin their post-secondary education journey,” said Jameka Hartley, the coordinator of Alabama Reach. “The University of Alabama and Alabama REACH are pleased to partner with the nsoro Foundation to assist youth in foster care to be college ready and reach their highest potential.”

With support from the nsoro Foundation, UA faculty, staff members and volunteers, the high-school students will learn about the college experience and will receive personal, financial and educational support. Dr. Ronald L. Carter, president of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C., will be the keynote speaker during the program’s graduation ceremony at noon Friday, June 28, in Gorgas, room 205. Carter has been a foster parent to four children.

The mission of Alabama REACH  is to empower current and former foster children, orphans, emancipated minors, wards of the state and homeless youth in a supportive environment that allows students the freedom to pursue higher education and successfully matriculate and graduate from college.