All About EYM

This year we are blessed to have our largest senior graduating class ever. Miles, Tewodeross, Nefertari, John, Setra, Addamu, Dawit, Thomas, Jordan, Michael, Devon, Issa, Stephanie, Taharka, Cameron, Arlene, and Bethlehem are all headed off to college. Nine of these students have been with the program four years or more; ten of these students will be first generation college graduates. There are additional seniors that have been a part of our program, but are not currently enrolled. We anticipate hearing from and meeting many of these seniors in the coming months. To be eligible for our college scholarship program, our seniors will be required to fulfill 80 hours of community service as assistant tutors. It is always fascinating to see which students excel in the demanding role of tutor and role model. Our scholarship program guarantees each of these students $6,000 to $10,000 for their college education. We are working hard at raising the money for these upcoming college students and the many we already have attending college. Our annual college scholarship gala in June will be a time of great celebration.

Our home-study program continues to provide an opportunity to our students who encountered difficulties in traditional school settings. We provide these students an academically intensive environment where study skills and social skills can be improved. Our current class, many of whom are returning from last year, are growing and thriving. It is our goal to return these students to their schools within one to two years of their enrollment in home-study. It is our experience that keeping a student for too long in home-study eventually becomes counter-productive. We must challenge the student to put their improved skills and ability to the test, and to learn to thrive in any school environment they are placed in. Of course we work closely with parents and guardians to find the best school available for the student, and we require that the student enter our after-school program. Some of our most promising high school students come from our home-study program and we anticipate that they will fulfill their tremendous potential.

Our after school program is providing our students with supplemental academic support and a safe, nurturing environment. We are always impressed by our students and their dedication to their own improvement. We can have over a hundred children in our learning center, yet it will be quiet and calm. It is no surprise that the demand for our services far surpasses our ability to accommodate. We often must turn away families in need. It is our desire to continue growing and expanding so that we may serve some of these students, creating a legacy of education and giving.