Opportunity
Programs
This
section lists those outreach programs designed to increase the attendance and
success in higher education of educationally or economically disadvantaged
students.
Access
to Opportunity (CCRI)
Access to Opportunity is a retention program designed to serve
Community College of Rhode Island students who qualify as low
income and/or first generation in college (neither parent
graduated from a four-year college) or as having a disability.
Students who have academic potential but need additional support
to reach their educational goals may benefit from the program.
The program provides a comprehensive array of support services
including individualized academic, career, financial aid and
transfer advising; adjustment counseling; professional tutoring;
skill-building classes and cultural experiences. The goal of the
program is to ensure that participants improve their academic
skills, remain in college, and graduate and/or transfer
successfully to a four-year institution. Acceptance of qualified
participants is on a first-come, first-served basis. For further
information, contact Tracy Karasinski at (401) 825-2305 (voice)
or (401) 825-2037 (tty) or write: Access to Opportunity, CCRI
400 East Avenue, Warwick, RI 02886. Access to Opportunity, a
TRIO program, is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
AT EASE (University
of Rhode Island/College of Continuing Education)
AT EASE is a Saturday morning program that encourages Rhode
Island’s minority and disadvantaged youth in grades eight
through eleven to consider the necessary steps to secure
education opportunities available to them throughout high school
and beyond. Over five Saturday morning sessions, students
explore their personal and academic strengths and weaknesses
through an interactive English/writing seminar that includes
sessions in self-awareness and self-esteem. Students examine
selected readings, music and theater productions that are used
to explore positive life choices. A representative of the
theater community works with teachers and students to
incorporate class readings and discussions into a final
production that students are responsible for preparing and
presenting. Students are given the opportunity to attend various
education information sessions apprising them of resource
programs available to them. In addition, students visit the URI
Kingston Campus for a full day of college-based activities
including a tour, a meeting with current Talent Development
students, and attendance at a URI function. For more
information contact AT EASE, URI Providence Center, 80
Washington St, Providence, RI 02903-1903.
Bridge to Success
(Roger Williams University)
The Bridge to Success program (BTS) offers school-year tutoring
and mentoring (facilitated by RWU students), workshops and
activities to students of color at Rogers High School in
Newport. Bridge to Success also includes a Summer Institute
which is a two-week summer program for rising juniors and
seniors who plan to attend an institution of higher learning
after high school. BTS provides preparatory workshops on the
college search process, college-level writing and math courses,
and field trips. Parents of students in the program meet monthly
and participate in an annual parent/student conference. Contact
Maria Wah-Fitta at the Office of Multicultural Affairs, RWU, One
Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809-2921, or call 401-254-3317 for
more information.
College Readiness Program
(University of Rhode Island)
The College Readiness Program is for people who were not in
college preparatory classes in high school or who have a GED,
but lack the required classes to gain admission to a 4 year
institution of higher learning. The College Readiness Program
offers qualified students the opportunity to take the missing
courses at no cost. The entire cost of the College Readiness
Program (fees, notebooks, textbooks, tuition, and tutoring) is
paid for eligible students, in a grant form, by The College
Readiness Program. Classes include Math, Science, Spanish, and
Writing/English. Each class meets once a week from September to
May for two hours in the late afternoons, evenings or
Saturdays. Support services include academic counseling,
advising, tutoring, mid-semester academic evaluation, financial
aid and admissions applications processing help. Upon
successful completion of the academic requirements with a C or
better, students will be directed to a University or College
that addresses their needs and academic desires. For more
information contact Leo DiMaio, 401-277-5304, 80 Washington
Street, Room 449, Providence, RI 02903.
Dorcas
Place College Preparatory Program
The Dorcas Place College Preparatory Program-"Bridge to College"
provides assistance to students who wish to transition to a
post-secondary educational environment. Classroom instruction is
provided and is available at convenient times. College tours and
visits are arranged by a Post Secondary Advisor, assistance is
provided with admission and financial aid processes, and
educational planning and assessment helps students determine if
they need additional instruction. Articulation agreements with
CCRI and other post-secondary education institutions ensure
continuing campus support services to Dorcas Place students.
Following completion of the GED, Dorcas Place provides tuition
for one college course and a student success seminar class, for
a total of four credits. Students are prepared for full-time
enrollment the following semester. Dorcas Place is located at
220 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI. For more information please
call 401-273-8866 or
e-mail info@dorcasplace.org.
Education Partnership
The Education Partnership's mission is to increase academic
achievement in all public schools through improved leadership
and governing policies at the state and local level. The
Education Partnership (EP) administers five scholarship
programs. They are the: Charles A. Morvillo Scholarship,
Feinstein Leadership Scholarship, Louis Feinstein Memorial
Scholarship, and the Providence Medical Association Scholarship.
For information on these scholarships, please visit their
website at
www.edpartnership.org or contact
Keturah Johnson, Scholarships and Communications Coordinator at
(401) 331-5222 x112, email
kjohnson@edpartnership.org, 345
South Main Street, Providence,RI 02903.
The Gateway Program
The Gateway Program is an innovative and creative approach to
learning that focuses on enhancing services to the local
community to impact a population that has encountered
difficulties in pursuing advanced educational opportunities. The
program focuses on single parents and offers advising,
orientation, mentoring, tutoring, and other support services to
help the students meet their educational goals. Eligible
participants must be a single parent and out of school for at
least three years. For more information, please contact Gateway
Program, 80 Washington St., Providence, RI 02903, 401-277-5247.
Guaranteed Admissions Program
(GAP, URI)
A URI program offered through the Special Programs for Talent
Development (SPTD), GAP assists students in completing the
requirements to gain admission to URI and most four-year
colleges or universities. There are four components of the GAP
program: Bridges, a two-week summer program for ninth grade
students; Contract Night where students sign a performance
contract with URI; academic advising at the high school; and the
Academy, a four-week summer program for 10th, 11th,
and 12th graders. Activities include interactive
math and science workshops, meeting with URI students, and field
trips. Students sign a contract with URI specifying expected
outcomes while in high school to attend school regularly, take
the college preparatory courses, maintain at least a C average
overall, take part in tutoring, attend the summer programs, and
participate enrichment activities. Students who successfully
complete the GAP/SPTD program are guaranteed admission to URI.
For information, contact GAP/SPTD at URI Providence Center, 80
Washington St, Providence, RI 02903-1903 or call 401-277-5242.
Learning Enhancement for Adults Program
(URI)
LEAP is a program to assist non-traditional students over the
age of 21, who have a high school diploma or a GED, to become
ready to enter college. During their first semester, students
take review courses in English and learn commonly used computer
applications. Workshops are given on topics related to college
success issues such as making presentations, and using the
library. Students participate in community projects, have the
opportunity to take the Myers-Briggs personality profile, and
have access to career counseling. For information call Mary
Stanley, 277-5036; email,
stanm508@etal.uri.edu; or write,
80 Washington Street, Room 208, Providence, RI 2903,
401-277-5304.
Pre-College Enrichment Program
(Brown University)
Pre-College Enrichment Program (PCEP) equips first-generation,
college-bound Providence public high school students with the
skills and self-knowledge to succeed. To help students imagine,
direct, and make choices about their futures, PCEP works
throughout the high school years, in weekly group sessions and
individually, to build academic competency, prepare for the
Secondary Achievement Test, support the college selection and
application process, and provide college role models. The PCEP
Writing Program develops writing skills through a year-long
curriculum emphasizing both academic skills and personal
expression. The PCEP Science Program encourages scientific and
mathematical analysis and understanding through project-based
learning activities that complement in-school curricula in
neuroscience, environmental science, physics, biology, chemistry
and the health sciences. Contact: Kerrissa_Heffernan@brown.edu.
Preparatory Enrollment Program
(PEP, RIC)
PEP is designed to assist RI students who have underdeveloped
academic skills, inadequate/inappropriate curricula in high
school, lower-than-average standardized tests scores, etc. The
program consists of two academic phases intended to prepare
participants fully for the college-level work they will face at
Rhode Island College. PEP students come to the campus one
evening a week for six weeks to attend classes in study skills
and to meet with their Student Support Services counselor. The
second phase, which occurs during the summer, consists of seven
weeks of intensive academic study. The students live on campus
in College residence halls while taking classes in writing and
mathematics, as well as one freshman-level course for college
credit. Upon successful completion of both the spring and summer
components, PEP students enroll as freshmen and have full access
to the College's Student Support Services program.
Applications must be submitted by February 15.
Visit the Web site at
www.ric.edu/Home/admissions/pep.htm,
or contact Joseph Costa at 401-456-8237.
Project Discovery
(URI)
Project Discovery is a math, science, and technology program
sponsored by the URI Urban Field Center. During two weeks of
the summer, 5th and 6th grade students (with some 7th and 8th
grade students) explore different themes such as oceanography or
robotics with URI faculty and science professionals. Students
go on field trips, visit the URI campus and interact with
college students. Project Discovery encourages middle school
students to think of themselves as college-bound and consider a
career in math, science or technology. Students are recruited
from the Broad Street, Fogarty, Gilbert Stuart, Reservoir
Avenue, and Sackett Street Schools. Call 401-277-5243 for more
information.
Providence Summerbridge
Providence Summerbridge is a tuition-free program for Providence
middle school students entering 7th and 8th grades who want to
succeed academically. Student are recruited at the end of the
6th grade and participate during the 7th and 8th grades. Through
tutoring, counseling, and academic skill-building, Summerbridge
works with students and their families to help students reach
their academic potential and get into the high school of their
choice. Students commit to two rigorous six-week summer sessions
and two years of School After School and Summerbridge Saturdays
during the school year. The classes are taught by qualified high
school and college students. The program is housed at the
Wheeler School in Providence. Contact co-directors Mindy Weber
or Rameka Blakey by phone at 401-528-2127 or by email at
summerbridge@wheelerschool.org.
Rhode Island
Association of Admission Officers
The Rhode Island Association of Admission Officers (RIAAO), is a
professional organization for college and university admission
personnel who represent institutions within the state of Rhode
Island. The site provides easy access to admission information
for parents, students and school counselors from all the Rhode
Island colleges and universities and has links to many useful
Web sites including federal student aid, and SAT information.
Rhode Island Children's Crusade for Higher Education
Rhode Island Children’s Crusade is an early intervention program
whose mission is to encourage low-income students to stay in
school and prepare for higher education. The Crusade makes
college, university, or trade school a possibility for all
Crusaders who graduate from high school and gain admission to an
institution of higher education. It was the first program in the
country to combine long-term program support with scholarships
as incentives for at-risk students to stay in school. To enroll,
Rhode Island students must be in the third grade in one of the
designated enrollment schools. Crusaders are expected to stay in
school and work hard, to avoid drugs, early parenthood, and any
problems with the law, and to be good role models in their
communities. For more information visit the Crusade’s web site,
http://www.childrenscrusade.org/;
phone, 401-854-5500, or write, The 134 Centre, 134 Thurbers
Avenue, Providence, RI 02905.
RI Educational
Enrichment Program (RIEEP)
RIEEP encourages Rhode Island youth, grades 3-12, to reach their
goals through educational support activities and programs on
life issues. Students have the opportunity for tutoring,
college visits, scholarships, travel, summer programs, community
service projects, job training and placement. For more
information contact Ruth Corria at P.O. Box 9012, Providence, RI
02940.
Rhode
Island Educational Opportunity Center
The Rhode Island Educational Opportunity Center (RIEOC) provides
information and assistance about educational and student
financial aid opportunities available to Rhode Island adults
interested in returning to school. RIEOC counselors (many of
whom are bilingual) provide referrals to ESL/ABE/GED programs;
career exploration, assessment, and advising; assistance in
choosing a college or training program; individual college
admissions and student financial aid application assistance;
scholarship information and searches; assistance in resolving
student loan defaults; referral to social service agencies; and
community outreach. All RIEOC services are FREE. The main office
is located on the CCRI Liston Campus at 1 Hilton Street,
Providence, RI, and is open seven days a week and weekday
evenings. RIEOC services are also available at all CCRI campuses
and satellites, at netWORKri offices, and in community locations
throughout Rhode Island. For more information on services, to
speak to a counselor or to set up an appointment, call 455-6028
or visit
www.ccri.edu/eoc. The Rhode
Island Educational Opportunity Center is a federal TRIO program
funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
Rhode Island Educational
Talent Search
Rhode Island Educational Talent Search (RIETS) program provides
free assistance to middle and high school students who want to
complete high school and enroll in college. Two-thirds of those
served are low-income and the first in their family to go to
college. Services are provided to enrolled students in ETS
target schools in Central Falls, East Providence, Providence,
and Woonsocket. Academic/advising activities include study
skills and test-taking workshops; high school course selection;
tutorial referral; PSAT/SAT preparation and waivers; referral to
math/science summer programs; workshops for parents; career
exploration, assessment, and advising; and leadership
development and cultural enrichment activities. To help students
with the college admissions process, RIETS provides college
tours, college catalogs, application assistance, application
waivers, postsecondary pre-enrollment activities, and
information on programs of study. RIETS provides information
and assistance in completing financial aid forms and waivers and
in performing Internet scholarship searches. For information
contact Philomena Fayanjuola by phone, 401-455-6025; email,
pfayanjuola@ccri.edu; or write,
CCRI, 1 Hilton Square, Providence, RI 02905. The Rhode Island
Educational Talent Search is a federal TRIO program funded by
the U.S. Department of Education.
SMILE
The SMILE (Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences)
Program is an after-school academic enrichment program of math
and science for minority and disadvantaged students, grades 4 to
12, in Rhode Island school districts in partnership with the
University of Rhode Island. The goal of SMILE is to increase the
numbers of minority and low-income students graduating from high
school well qualified to enter higher education and pursue
careers in >science, math, engineering and health professions.
The program has a year-round schedule of activities, including
weekly after-school clubs, career-oriented field trips, college
guidance and preparation, and three annual events: the Outdoor
Science Adventure Camp and the Engineering Challenge Weekend at
URI, and the High School Environmental Challege Problem at the
U.S EPA,Atlantic Ecology Division Lab in Narragansett. For more
information contact Carol M. Englander,SMILE director, by phone
at 401-792-9682, by e-mail at
englanca@etal.uri.edu, or visit
the SMILE website:
www.uri.edu/smile.
Talent Development (URI)
Talent Development offers the opportunity for a college
education to Rhode Island high school graduates who would not
normally be eligible for admission to the University of Rhode
Island. The mission of Talent Development at the University of
Rhode Island is to recruit, support, and retain students of
color and students from disadvantaged backgrounds who, without
the support of Talent Development, could not expect to be
admitted to the University. Talent Development makes it possible
for students to be accepted at the University, prepares students
for full time study at the college level, provides academic
advisement and various support services through an assigned
academic advisor, and assists with financial aid through the
Arthur L. Hardge Grant. Students accepted into Talent
Development participate in a Prep Program in the spring of their
senior year, followed by a summer Pre-Matriculation Program. The
Prep Program prepares students for a successful transition to
the University by assisting with admissions confirmation,
housing and dining contracts, new student orientation, and the
financial aid process. Prep also begins the process for each
student’s Pre-Matriculation program. The Pre-Matriculation
Program is 6 weeks in residence at the Kingston campus which
includes one week of intense course work in writing, computers,
and college study skills, followed by five weeks taking two
credited University classes supported by daily tutorials and a
continued writing program. Talent Development also offers a Fall
Pre-Matriculation Program for custodial parents, independent
students, and students with personal circumstances that prevent
them from attending the residential Pre-Mat Program. To be
admitted to URI, all Talent Development students must
successfully complete a Pre-Matriculation Program. The Talent
Development Program works with its students from their
pre-admission programs right through graduation, providing
academic and personal support and a strong, accomplished
community of students. For information visit the web site at
www.uri.edu/talent_development/
call 401-874-2901, or e-mail
tdinfo@etal.uri.edu.
Transition to College
Project RIRAL's ABE-to-College project is coordinated through
the New England Literacy Resource Center and funded by the
Nellie Mae Foundation. This program creates opportunities for
adult literacy and high school graduates to prepare for, enter
and succeed in post secondary education. Transition to College
offers two sessions, spring and fall, in the evening and
Saturday morning. The program meets at netWORKri 175 Main Street
in Pawtucket. While attending Transition to College, students
also take a class at CCRI earning three college credits toward
their degree. For more information, contact Marie Crecca-Romero,
Coordinator at 722-9800.
Times2
Times2 Academy is a K-3 and 6-12 Academy; it will eventually be
K-12 in 2005. Times2 Children’s Academy was established in 2003.
The mission of Times2 Academy and Enrichment Programs is to
increase the number of African American, Latino, and Native
American students interested in and qualified for careers in
math, science, and engineering. Besides the regular school
curriculum, Times2 Academy also offers its students a variety of
after school academic programs to complement and enrich their
math, science, and English skills. Enrollment at Times2 Academy
is open to any student entering Kindergarten and 6th grade. The
Times2 organization also sponsors a set of enrichment programs
for Newport and Providence students in the target population of
African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans. Participants
attend demonstrations, lectures, hands-on workshops and field
trips to museums, educational institutions, and industrial
sites. Times2 Enrichment Programs and URI also sponsor a
five-week summer program and two oceanography programs. For
further information on Times2 programs, contact Dr. Stanley
Thompson, Academic Dean at
StanleyThompson@times2.org or
401-272-5094, or in person at 50 Fillmore Street, Providence,
Rhode Island, 02908. Visit the Times2 Academy web site at
http://www.times2.org/.
Upward Bound (Rhode Island
College)
The Upward Bound Program helps selected high school students
improve their academic skills and motivation so that they
complete high school and graduate from college. Students who
meet all program responsibilities continue in Upward Bound
throughout high school. Upward Bound offers many services and
opportunities including academic courses for college
preparation, counseling, tutoring, career exploration, course
advisement, admissions process support, and social and cultural
programs. Students attend Saturday classes in English and
mathematics during the academic year. Students live on campus
for six weeks during the summer and take college preparatory
courses in mathematics, English, science, and a foreign
language. Students are eligible if they are first-generation
college students (meaning neither parent graduated from a
four-year college), from a low-income family, and/or are in the
9th-11th grades at Central Falls High School, Shea High School,
East Providence High School, Central High School, Hope High
School or Mount Pleasant High School. For more information, call
Mariam Z. Boyajian at the Upward Bound office Monday - Friday,
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at 401-456-8081; write Upward Bound, Rhode
Island College, 600 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Providence RI 02908;
email
upwardbound@ric.edu; or visit
our Web site at
www.ric.edu/upward_bound.
The Youth
Opportunities Guide
The Youth Opportunities Guide is a detailed directory of
educational, recreational, and creative program opportunities
available to middle schoolers, teens, and older youths. An
overview of each program and contact information are provided.
Although intended as a guide to programs in Providence, the
guide lists some programs open to youths in other designated
communities. Programs may focus on academics, sports, the arts,
community service or other areas of interest. A database of
programs can be searched by area of interest, language spoken,
and location. The guide, developed as a project of the 1997
class of Leadership Rhode Island, is intended to help ensure
that families are aware of the opportunities available to the
youth of the city of Providence. Of special interest to
college-bound students and their families are the academic
enrichment and college preparation programs. A
Spanish language version of the
site is available.
