Tuesday, February 6, 2018

I'm A Star Foundation hosts forum and college fair

I’m A Star Foundation is hosting a Family Empowerment Forum & College Fair, in partnership with DCPS, to prepare a group of 7th graders and their parents for the future.  The event will be held Thursday, February 8, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Ribault High School, 3701 Winton Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32208. The event is not open to the public.

Attendees will experience a pep rally, parent empowerment forum, and meet representatives and alumni from the following colleges and universities: Alabama A&M University; Edward Waters College; Florida A&M University; Florida Memorial University; Florida State College at Jacksonville; Florida State University; Savannah State University; University of Florida; University of North Florida.

In partnership with Duval County Public Schools, funded by a Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grant, I’m A Star will follow a group of 7th graders through their first year of college.  GEAR UP is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

I’m A Star Foundation will mentor a cohort of 7th graders once every two weeks and provide parenting empowerment forums two times a month. The non-profit organization will work with the same students for 7 years, in an effort to ensure their academic success and college readiness.

The agenda for the Family Empowerment Conference College Fair is as follows:
6:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.: College Fair.
6:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.: Parent Empowerment Forum: How to help children stay the course and enter college over the next 7 years.
7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: EWC Drumline, UNF Step Group, EWC Chorus, Greek Organization Step Show.

About I’m A Star Foundation:
I’m A Star Foundation is a volunteer program that transforms middle and high school students into the next generation of servant leaders. An acronym for “Smart, Talented And Resilient” students, the Foundation draws kids ages 12-18 from schools across Duval County. Students meet on weekends to creatively co-work on solutions to problems affecting their peers. Since its establishment in 2010, the organization has maintained a 100% graduation rate. Founder and Executive Director Betty Seabrook Burney is a former Duval Co. School Board Chairwoman who achieved the distinction of having all chronically low-performing schools exit the state of Florida’s intervene list by the end of her term.  I’m A Star Foundation students have been featured in various press outlets, including: Florida Times-Union, ABC7Chicago and The Huffington Post.

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