In June 2015 “I Have A Dream” – NY celebrated the high school graduation of nearly 50 Dreamers from both the DeHostos-Wise and Ravenswood II Programs. Over 85% of these students enrolled in a variety of colleges and universities for fall 2015. After taking a moment to recognize and applaud our graduates for their accomplishment, we settled down to prepare for the launch of our college success initiative.
Recent literature about college access and success for low-income students shows that this population continues to face many obstacles and challenges on their path toward college completion. These challenges include adapting to the college environment, meeting expectations for college-level work, and paying for school and limiting their student debt. In the year leading up to the high school graduation of our Dreamer Class of 2015, IHDF-NY program staff examined the landscape of college success as it relates to underserved youth, including persistence and completion rates and degree attainment of these students. Based on our research, and invaluable conversations with other IHDF affiliates who worked with their students through college, we created a plan of student support that focuses on the goals of college graduation, employment and financial stability, and self-efficacy. One component of this plan are the success workshops we will host during summer and winter breaks. These workshops will address the variety of issues that first-generation and first-year students face, and will also serve as an opportunity for IHDF to maintain Dreamer engagement and community.
Our inaugural success workshop took place this past summer with our recent high school graduates. The Summer Bridge series provided pre-freshman year preparation for our college-bound Dreamers, who participated in discussions and activities that informed and geared them up for all of the new experiences they should expect to encounter during their first year of college. The series is divided into two parts that take place in June and August, respectively, to allow time for all of the material in our workshop plan and to account for our students’ busy summer schedules. Summer Bridge 1 focused on adjusting to college life, campus safety and personal health, financial literacy, and accessing campus resources. Having recently selected and enrolled in their school, Dreamers reviewed financial aid packages and familiarized themselves with their college campus (primarily, where to get what done). Less concrete were the discussions about managing family and peer relationships while attending school; maintaining a healthy social life; and how to face academic challenges. Through the benefit of being so familiar with our students we were able to tailor the discussions to address a variety of circumstances and challenges they might deal with as college freshmen. In Part 2 of Summer Bridge we focused on the intangibles of college readiness, creating a personal budget, and reviewing important dates and deadlines for school and IHDF. Staff led thoughtful discussions on values and personal goals as they relate to pursuing a college degree and also in relation to sexuality and personal relationships. Dreamers later reported these conversations to be some of the most valuable of the series.
At the conclusion of our workshops, program staff reviewed the expectations and requirements Dreamers had to meet in order to remain eligible for the tuition assistance support provided by IHDF-NY, including submitting their transcript and financial aid summary before the start of each semester, and maintaining regular communication with program staff. Although we do not expect the road ahead to be smooth, we hope to help them navigate it with the tips and tools provided at the Summer Bridge Series.