Go Inspire Go is proud to present this month’s Social Good Spotlight, to raise awareness of organizations doing good in their communities in order to inspire others to take action and ultimately make real social change. Featured organizations are identified with the help of GreatNonprofits, the leading developer of tools that allow people to find, review, and share information about great – and perhaps not yet great – nonprofits. For more information and to read past Social Good Spotlights, click here.
GIG Social Good Spotlight:
College Possible – Opening a World of Opportunity
“As a sophomore in high school, I had no plans on going to college. I didn’t think it was possible for a low-income, first generation student to go to college. Joining [College Possible] for my junior and senior years changed my life…As a now sophomore in college, I credit my success to [College Possible] as a whole and the wonderful coaches they employ. I am now a social work major hoping to make a difference in people’s lives.” – Michelle I.
What is College Possible?
College Possible (formerly Admission Possible) is a nationally-growing nonprofit organization that makes college admission and success possible for low-income students through coaching and support. College Possible targets low-income students in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN and Milwaukee, WI. Founded in 2000, 98% of its students have earned admission to college and nearly 80% of enrolled students are working toward their college degree or have already graduated. Two external evaluations conducted in 2005 and 2009 further proved these excellent results and the foremost associations in the college admission field recognized College Possible with their 2009 awards of excellence.
What inspires College Possible to do this work?
Jim McCorkell, founder and CEO of College Possible, put into action his life-long passion to make college admission and success possible for low-income kids. In his home state of Minnesota, working out of the spare bedroom in his St. Paul apartment, Jim and early supporters picked a name and a logo, recruited a Board of Directors and began fundraising.
College Possible was founded on three fundamental beliefs:
• Many low-income high school students lack the resources to compete effectively for admission to colleges and universities.
• Colleges and universities are very interested in admitting students from low-income backgrounds, but have difficulty identifying and attracting them.
• In an increasingly diverse and global economy, the economic stability and competitiveness of theUnited States requires a highly educated workforce.
How can GIGSTERS get involved and support College Possible?
• Volunteer as a mentor in the office for one of their programs, or with their external relations team
• Work with Americorps
• Donate
College Possible Graduation 2011:
Making College Possible:
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