College Money for Graduating Seniors

Full essay from a Project Mentor senior… 

I am most proud waking up every day choosing that I am going to succeed. I am spending my senior year of high school living in my late grandmothers’ house with 10 other family members. In a house where privacy, cleanliness, and good priorities are foreign and drug/alcohol abuse and prison are common. Before living here, my parents and I had gone through many challenges moving from place to place and not having much money. In January of 2020, we were forced to move here following our traumatic eviction from our 2-bedroom apartment. In this apartment, my mother and I were sorting through resentment due to her hostile behavior toward me in the past while having to share a bedroom. I see the eviction as the start of the most chaotic part of my life after receiving that call after school from a kind bystander. Our whole house was thrown out on the side the road. They stole everything from me, everything of value, all my clothes that I worked so hard to buy for myself, my dignity, my printer and laptop for school that were both gifted to me. It made me feel vulnerable and after that day and I promised myself that I will never be put this situation again. I work twice as hard in school because I don’t ever want my children to feel like l did. To feel like they weren’t enough to stop something they couldn’t control and handle something so formidable at the age of 16.

My father’s favorite word to describe the method used to raise me is “Adult-i-fied”, a word he likes takes credit for. My parents raised me to be independent and resourceful, and I am very thankful for that. However, there was a limit to the skills that were taught and enforced in our home. My being a first-generation college student as well as the first of my siblings to graduate high school, I lack the support and knowledge from my family that would have been offered if my parents would have gone to college. My parents offer absolutely no support, beyond signing a signature, to my education. Thus, I do not have the parents who understand the process of preparing for the future I want. I am learning to navigate the college application process, thanks to numerous mentors. However, many of my peers from lower income families are struggling with little information, motivation, and resources needed for them see college as an option. Therefore, I want to start a program that advocates for low income students and supports their journey through high school and college. I hope to provide them all the necessary information that is unclear to most student of low-income families. In addition to this, provide a positive space that is similar to a peaceful, well-informed household. This is a space where they can come focus on schoolwork or college/ scholarship applications, find community service or job opportunities, and access to a safe space without the numerous distractions I have to face daily.

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We are two graduating seniors from Stratford Academy in Macon GA who are raising money for 10 other graduating seniors in the Middle Georgia area that don't have the same level of support as we do.  All 10 graduating seniors have been part of The Mentors Project of Bibb County and all 10 are committed to attending college. We want to raise a thousand dollars per graduating student so they can afford books and necessities for next fall.  Please help by donating 5$, 10$, 20$, 100$ or more so we can reach our goal and help all 10 of the graduating  kids. 

One of these seniors works 2 jobs, while taking IB courses because she and her father were recently evicted from their apartment. While another senior has 4 siblings and a disabled parent, while also living in a Section 8 Housing.  One other graduating senior has 2 parents and 5 siblings.  Their parents work every day in low paying jobs and are struggling to make ends meet. Another graduating kid in our mentors project is living in public housing, since her parents were divorced. Her Mom's income was more than cut in half after the divorce.  Another senior lost a best friend to suicide. Many of the parents of these seniors work, but their household income is not enough for them to move from poverty to middle class.  Attending college is a big achievement and an experience they all look forward to.

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit these 10 graduating seniors who are part of The Mentors Project of Bibb County, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

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More information about The Mentors Project of Bibb County: The Mentor's has been successful in steering students away from drugs, crime, and dropping out of school. In addition, students mention that mentors have helped them control their temper, get along better with family and teachers, and improve their social skills, grooming habits, and overall outlook on the future. Nearly 100 percent of the proteges who graduate from high school with an active mentor will attend a postsecondary institution and become productive members of the community.