Washington DC (PRWEB) April 02, 2015

Tomorrow’s astronaut or inventor of the next big thing? Could the seeds be sown in our own backyard?

Here in the Greater Washington area, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) and the College Success Foundation – DC (CSF – DC) are launching a new STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) program this spring to give local youth the opportunity to pursue a future as scientists, engineers, artists, mathematicians and doctors.

These two national leading nonprofits, along with an anonymous donor, have found a way. By leveraging the assistance, early intervention and education provided by the Boys and Girls Clubs with the expert wraparound supports and STEAM scholarship administration of the College Success Foundation able and hardworking metro-area students will be well-prepared to pursue careers in the STEAM fields.

Beginning in the 7th grade, BGCGW youth will receive structure and support through the attention and guidance of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington.

“Our goal is to provide our youth with opportunities they don’t have. The graduates of this program will be educated and prepared to assume the high-demand jobs of tomorrow,” said Pandit Wright, President & CEO of BGCGW.

Plans are for the Boys and Girls Clubs of GW to select approximately 10 students in the 7th grade – students who regularly participate at local Clubs – to be Boys and Girls Club Achievers. These students will receive rigorous academic support, tutoring, college access programming, character and leadership development, and attendance and completion support for each of their high school years, accelerating each year. They will receive specific, in-depth opportunities to explore the arts, sciences and mathematics.

As they enter their final years of high school, over 200 students are expected to receive STEAM scholarships to college and over 300 BGCGW youth will benefit from the enhanced academic services. Through these supports, students are expected to achieve higher GPAs and graduate from college at higher rates.

With generous tiered-scholarship funding in the wings when it is time to enter college, these young people have an opportunity to compete for the more than 1.2 million unfilled STEAM jobs projected to be available by 2018 due to a lack of qualified, trained workers.

“BGCGW and CSF – DC’s roots in the community are deep. We are both advocates for the underserved students in Greater Washington. We have strong connections with the schools and youth-serving organizations which make us natural partners to carry this initiative forward,” said Herb Tillery, executive director of CSF – DC.

“We are eager to initiate academic supports and enrichment programs designed to improve high school graduation rates and prepare students for college.”

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Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) supports students through 12 sites covering a territory of 75 miles. BGCGW helps boys and girls of all backgrounds, especially those who need us most, with guidance and support. Through the delivery of award-winning programs, BGCGW serves as a safe haven for youth working to develop the skills needed to become productive, civic-minded, responsible adults.

To learn more about BGCGW, visit bgcgw.org.

College Success Foundation – District of Columbia

The College Success Foundation – DC (CSF – DC) supports DC public school students in pursuing their dream of attending college and achieving their goal of obtaining a bachelor’s degree. CSF – DC is a nonprofit that opened its doors in 2007 to serve low-income students and students of color in Wards 7 and 8 in the nation’s capital. CSF – DC serves nearly 2,000 students annually in seven high schools and two middle schools by providing scholarships, support and mentoring to help them earn a college degree. CSF – DC is a subsidiary of the national College Success Foundation.

To learn more about CSF – DC, visit: collegesuccessfoundation.org.







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