Grace Outreach

College Social

As part of our commitment to helping women achieve financial independence, Grace Outreach hosts Career and College events open to all Grace students and alums. This winter, on one of the snowiest days in January, we hosted a College Prep Social.

The idea was that Grace Outreach women who earned their GED and went on to attend college would come back to sit on a panel discussion for current students interested in the idea of college, but intimidated by the realities of college. At first we were worried about attendance due to the inclement weather, but were pleasantly surprised by the crowd that showed up to listen to the 5 panelists speak and dispense advice.

This advice ranged from the lofty ("Have a 5 year plan", "Figure out transfer requirements early") to the minutae ("Sit in the front of the room", "Learn how to take good notes"). Women asked questions about majors, computers, the differences between community colleges and 4-year colleges, and how to pick the best professors). Still, while the advice was important, it was the sense of community that was crucial.

A recent New York Times article pointed out the dismal rate of college-readiness in our high school students. In New York City alone, "roughly 75 percent of public high school students who enroll in community colleges need to take remedial math or English courses before they can begin college-level work." This has a direct effect on community college graduation rates, which are even more dismal than the high school statistics would suggest. The Grace women in college serve as each other's support system: to encourage, to vent, and to be study buddies. 

Near the end of the event, I overheard one of the GED students remark that she wanted to attend Lehman College, since that's where it seemed the most Grace Outreach graduates were going. I saw her exchange telephone numbers with one of the college students, and knew that she'd be fine...