History

In 1998, discussions emerged with black and Latino churches to meld their youth outreach, community organizing and education programs to improve access to higher education for disadvantaged black and Latino youth. Although there appeared, at the time, to be plenty of research and reports on the problems of college retention for minority youth along with many recommendations for improving retention, there were few concerted efforts in the Greater Boston minority communities to offer college preparation-specific programming for these young people. Despite the demonstrated importance of college to upward mobility, few urban youth overcome obstacles to college—lack of funds, lack of exposure, lack of preparation, and lack of support. A planning group, comprised of representatives from black and Latino churches, the Higher Education Information Center, Boston Ten Point Coalition, Emmanuel Gospel Center’s Boston Education Collaborative, higher education institutions and the Nellie Mae Foundation, began meeting in October 1998 to design a church-based college advising and preparation program for youth ages 11 through 18 years.

Goals

• To improve academic performance of middle school and high school students through academic support and motivational activities
• To prepare students for college
• To replicate and expand partnerships with churches to increase academic achievement and improve college access for underserved inner-city youth

Core Values

• We value programs that develop the whole person
• We value staff that minister to the whole person
• We value awakening vision in our students
• We value engaging the entire family
• We value encouraging peer support
• We value being accessible
• We value building bridges
• We value transcending traditional barriers