Verizon Grant to Support “Let’s Get Ready” Program
December 06, 2010
The Verizon Foundation has awarded Stonehill a $10,200 grant which the College will use to join Let's Get Ready (LGR), a nonprofit organization that guides low-income high school students through the process of applying to college by offering intensive, free SAT prep and support with the college application process.
"The Verizon Foundation truly values this opportunity to partner with Stonehill in its efforts to improve SAT outcomes among minority and lower income students in the Brockton area. We are committed to using our technical, financial, and human resources to help create powerful networks for progress," said Verizon Regional Director for External Affairs Rick Colon.
The award will allow Stonehill to join forces with the nearby Brockton Public School System to create a local year-round formalized chapter of the LGR Program.
Stonehill's Office of Community-Based Learning will oversee the College's involvement with LGR.
"We continue to develop the effectiveness of our community engagements. The synergy created by partnerships with organizations like Verizon, the Brocton Public Schools, and Let's Get Ready not only improve the educational experience of our students but inspire waves of positive change throughout the surrounding community," said Corey Dolgon, director of the Office of Community-Based Learning.
The LGR Program mobilizes and trains college student volunteers to be coaches, mentors, and role-models that provide not only SAT instruction and college admissions guidance, but the encouragement and inspiration students need to succeed.
For the past three summers, LGR has partnered with school officials and students from Brockton High School to expand college access and Stonehill students have participated in this effort by serving as volunteer coaches. Additionally, Stonehill's Ellen Lohan '11 and Paige Rowan '12 served as directors of the program in the summer of 2009 and 2010, respectively.
Grant funds will support stipends for two Stonehill students to become LGR student directors and will provide additional funds for program costs associated with the LGR College Partnership program, such as supplies and materials for student directors, student coaches, and high school students from Brockton.
On average, LGR students increase their SAT scores by 110 points. In 2010, LGR ran 57 programs throughout the Northeast, serving roughly 2,270 students with the assistance of 850 college volunteers.
The Stonehill affiliated program will launch in the spring of 2011.
LGR was founded in the summer of 1998 by Jeannie Lang Rosenthal, a Harvard undergraduate from Scarsdale, NY.
LGR programs are open to high school juniors and seniors who are first generation and/or are eligible for the free and reduced lunch program. Programs run in the spring, summer and fall with each program running approximately nine weeks and meeting for three hours at least twice a week.
The program is free to students and includes: (1) 30 hours of intensive instruction on the foundational math and critical reading/writing skills that the SAT covers and that are necessary to succeed in college; (2) 2-3 diagnostic SAT tests taken for practice and to gauge student progress; (3) 15 hours of comprehensive information and guidance regarding college selection, applications, financial aid and scholarships; (4) college trips; (5) small classes (with no more than five students) led by college student coaches who mentor and inspire the high school students.
Contact
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