On Saturday, September 7, 18 families gathered at ETHS with their high school freshman students to participate in the kick-off event for Y Achievers. Y Achievers, offered by the McGaw YMCA in partnership with ETHS, Y.O.U., the Wildkit Academy and a dedicated corps of volunteer mentors, and steering committee members, works with freshmen to give them the information, support and motivation they need to truly realize their potential in school and beyond. Sarita Smith, McGaw YMCA Manager of Middle and High School Programs, explained, “this program isn’t directly about raising test scores or helping with homework. ETHS has many resources to help with that. This is about helping kids expand their expectations of what they might become, so that they can connect the schoolwork to the rest of their lives, find out who they are and set goals for themselves. Academics improve as a result of that.”
The program exposes students to different professions, college fairs, financial aid workshops and enrichment programs. But perhaps even more importantly, each student will have the opportunity to be connected to a mentor who can offer the personal guidance, experience and ambition for the future a student needs. Many students need someone outside the family who understands their situation and has the credibility that only personal experience can provide. Eric Franklin, Lead Mentor for Y Achievers, says, “I got involved because it was a way to help people who are just like me. Sometimes when you’re a kid you feel like you have nowhere to turn and you need someone outside your family to help out. I know I caused my mom a lot of trouble when I was a teenager that I wish I could have avoided. So I know how these kids look at the world and where they’re coming from.” Eric sees the program as a way for students to fully realize themselves. “If you get to know a kid, you can help them figure out their strengths and get to the real foundation of what they want out of life. The sky’s the limit then, they can go as far as they want.”
Y Achievers will meet twice a month on Saturdays in addition to special events and learning opportunities throughout the year. Each student receives a free membership to the McGaw YMCA. The program receives its direction from a Steering Committee consisting of: Flo Franklin, Chair and McGaw YMCA staff member; Janet Crawford, McGaw YMCA Board Member, Hazel Brewer, retired; Cheryl Brown, Rotary International; Omar Brown, CTA; Ahmadou Drame, ETHS; Mercedes Fernandez, ETHS; Pat Maunsell, McGaw YMCA Board Member; Amy Pratt, Northwestern University; MaNesha Stiff, Concordia University Chicago; and Amanda Pamela Villatoro, DePaul University,
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Committee members truly understand the impace they can have. Flo Franklin says that she got involved to make a difference. “When I sat down with Sarita, and felt her passion for the program and the cause, I felt that I had to help make a difference, that there was no way that I could not give 110% to this program.”
