<p>jmmom: Sounds great! Good for you.</p>
<p>I have often wondered if there exists, or if there should exist, a not-for-profit located RIGHT in urban neighborhoods (I picture it a store-front affair), that acts as a college resource center for kids and their families. Think there’s a market?</p>
<p>Even a local high school can use us. In my town the counselors are in charge of hundreds of kids apiece.</p>
<p>Good for you, jmmom!</p>
<p>What wonderful news…win/win…as they say…
a tremendous outlet for all your caring and excellence…</p>
<p>how can anyone think there is not a god??</p>
<p>There have been several small triumphs in the few weeks since I started.</p>
<p>Last week, the Financial Aid officer from the local cc came to the facility to speak to the group. Just seeing a dozen of the kids gathered and focused on a college future was such a joy. Usually, for many of them, the future is “I am so outta here and then I am going to P-A-A-RR-T-Y.” A couple of them had already completed the FAFSA on their own. One or two are planning to take a few courses while still incarcerated, on day passes. Here, there are obstacles to financial aid, as apparently no federal aid is possible to an incarcerated individual. But work-arounds are being sought.</p>
<p>Yesterday, a group of them went to the cc for the online placement test. A real high for one girl who tested into college level algebra and English (no remedial, she is pumped!) and has already registered for spring term. Her pride was palpable and her excitement about taking English, Algebra, Psych 101, Bio 101 and lab was intoxicating, really. She told us that she had originally signed up for 9 credits, then decided “Why not go full-time? It’s better to keep busy so I won’t have time for drugs and stuff.” </p>
<p>Others are plugging away at GED practice and not as excited about their placement results (“I got a high math level, but low English”). They’re like any of our kids - a little disappointed when someone else’s SAT is stellar and theirs is just okay.</p>
<p>Lots of holes in their education, I can tell you. So we work on comma vs. semicolon usage, what a circumference is… But step by step, one day at a time :).</p>
<p>You are wonderful. But we knew that already:).</p>
<p>Thank you, Alu. But I am just one cog in the wheel. There are several others, those who originated this effort and are more prime movers in it than I. I enjoy doing my part, but it is just a small part.</p>
<p>What a perfect match for you! Wonderful! It is such a lovely thing to do for someone too! That is just so nice!</p>
<p>Great news…keep the details coming…</p>
<p>enjoying the updates…</p>
<p>jmmom that is absolutely wonderful. You have my fullest admiration.<br>
andi</p>
<p>Jmmom,
you really are a compelling writer…you are able to put a face on anything. I loved your stories about New Orleans…even now, I can feel the reactions of the kids. My experience is that most kids want adult energy coming their way. My personal hypothesis is that the kids who PAARTAAYYY…are doing so because they have lost their interest in their adult mentors…or lost their adult mentors influence for one reason or another… for anyone who feels adrift, the belief that someone cares means a LOT…</p>
<p>The book The Tipping Point talks about how the issue with increased use of drugs and uncivilized behavior is tied to a ratio of role models or adults that are engaged and setting examples, when the ratio falls below a certain level, then the undesired behavior escalates exponentially. </p>
<p>Remember the HS in Chicago…where the kid took video from inside his backpack…of a teacher sleeping or reading…doing anything BUT teaching? Your involvement Jmmom, is helping to bring the ratio of interested adults back above the line for these kids…they definitely deserve another chance. Thanks for making this a priority for some of your time and energy.</p>
<p>I think you are so right, maineparent, about the importance of an adult who cares. One of the girls showed me her practice essay for the writing GED. It was about a “personal goal.” She wrote about going to college and graduating from college. Front and center was “I meet with my mentor every Tuesday to work on my college plans.” One half hour a week, but it has that impact. Someone cares and will stick with it.</p>
<p>Congrats, Jmmom. I may need a cover soon. But it’s been worth it for me because reading these posts have been excellent therapy for me. Some great folks here. And cheaper than a therapist, and I can take a dose as needed during the day. Don’t what to do if I need a fix when all is quiet on the board. Guess I would have to hit the archives.</p>
<p>Awwwwwww, jmmom, I’m <em>SO</em> proud of you!!! And what a wonderful service you’re helping to provide for some very derserving young people! Good move on making CC a GEN-U-INE legitimate activity! So, does this mean no more stealthy minimizing??? 
Keep us posted!</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>Jm,</p>
<p>congrats and great news. You do us on SA proud. Now we will have to kick you out early because you will need to be clear headed when giving your sound advice. It’s now a 2 drink limit for you :)</p>
<p>jmmom - this is great news 
congrats :)</p>
<p>The story of one of our students, who has now left the Youth Center behind and is attending the local community college is [url=<a href=“http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/nemitz/070401nemitz.html]here[/url”>http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/nemitz/070401nemitz.html]here[/url</a>]. It is both a feel-good success story for us and also a sobering reminder of how young some of these substance abuse problems start. Imagine a 15-year old sipping vodka-spiked coffee in the back of the classroom as a coping mechanism.
</p>
<p>Jmmom–that’s wonderful!:)</p>
<p>That’s neat Jmmom! Nothing like a little affirmation once in awhile to know that you are doing well. Yay for you helping these kids out!</p>
<p>jmmom…you are the best…made good in promising us an update, too. enjoyed the read.</p>
<p>Last month, I got a call from a guy who runs one of those fancy college-advising services (well, not so fancy, he only charges $8k-$12k) wanting to hire me to do same (expansion and all).</p>
<p>I let him do his hour-long shpiel, and then I told him I didn’t want to sell services that I was happy to give out for free.</p>
<p>(That’s why I’m rich! even if cash poor. ;))</p>
<p>Congrats on the WONDERFUL news!</p>